Disk holding apparatus, and disk apparatus

ABSTRACT

To provide a disk supporting apparatus, a disk holding apparatus and a disk apparatus whose planar dimension is minimized, and which can be manufactured simply and inexpensively. 
     A plurality of supporting portions  44  inclines with respect to a top portion  46  as a vertex. A tray  26  is formed into a substantially triangular pyramid (three-dimensional) configuration, and a planar dimension of the tray  26  can be smaller than that of a conventional turntable. Accordingly, a plurality of disks can be mounted on the tray  26 . The supporting portion  44  of the tray  26  can be placed in parallel to a door leaf without a slide mechanism that has conventionally been used for sliding a tray. Accordingly, a desired disk can be attached/detached merely by rotating and driving the tray  26 , and a mechanism disposed at a stereo apparatus is made compact and manufactured inexpensively.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a disk supporting apparatus, a diskholding apparatus and a disk apparatus that are appropriately applied toa disk player or the like that is equipped at an acoustic apparatus suchas a component stereo apparatus.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a disk apparatusthat is appropriately applied to a disk changer in which a tray having aplurality of compact disks mounted thereon is rotatably disposed

Further, the present invention relates to a disk apparatus in which atray having a plurality of compact disks mounted thereon is movablydisposed.

Moreover, the present invention relates to a disk apparatus thatcomprises turntables each having a compact disk mounted thereon.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a disk holding apparatusthat is appropriately applied to a disk apparatus for reproducinginformation that is recorded on, for example, a compact disk.

BACKGROUND ART

As shown in FIG. 74, a disk changer 490 comprises a plate-shapedturntable 492 on which a plurality of mounting portions (three in FIG.74) for mounting disks 10 thereon is formed, and a tray 494 on which theturntable 492 is rotatably disposed. Namely, the disk changer 490 isprovided with a rotation mechanism for rotating the turntable 492, and aslide mechanism for sliding the tray 494.

The tray 494 slides along the base 496 by the slide mechanism, and isejected from or returned to a door leaf of the apparatus body. In otherwords, an unillustrated “eject” button is pressed to pull the tray 494out from or pull the tray 494 back to the door leaf of the apparatusbody.

In the state in which the tray 494 is pulled out from the door leaf ofthe apparatus body, one of the mounting portions of the turntable 492that comes on this side of the tray 494 has no disks or is vacant.Further, concave portions having diameters of two types are formed oneach mounting portion so as to correspond to both 12 cm-disk and 8cm-disk (not shown). Moreover, the disk 10 is chucked by anunillustrated damper at a damper holding portion 493 and anunillustrated turntable of a disk reproducing apparatus beneath theturntable 492 so as to face this clamper, and then reproduced.

A user mounts a disk on the mounting portion that is made vacant bypressing the unillustrated button. The tray 494 is pulled back into theapparatus body by repressing the “eject” button. The disk is reproducedor the like by pressing an unillustrated “play” button.

The rotation mechanism for rotating the turntable 492 and the slidemechanism for sliding the tray 494 are provided at the disk changer 490shown in FIG. 74, whereby the structure of the disk changer 490 becomesmore complicated and the manufacturing cost thereof becomes higher.

In the disk changer 490, since a plurality of disks must be arranged onthe same plane of the turntable 492, the tray 494 must be spacious.

As shown in FIG. 75, a disk player 80 comprises a plate-shaped mountingtable 82, a turntable 84, a ring-shaped damper 90, and unillustratedfirst moving means. Mounting portions 83A and 83B are formed on themounting table 82 concentric with each other, and a 12 cm-disk (notshown) is mounted on the mounting portion 83A or an 8 cm-disk (notshown) is mounted on the mounting portion 83B. The turntable 84 isdisposed so as to move vertically along the mounting table 82. Thering-shaped damper 90 is disposed so as to face the turntable 84. Themounting table 82 is movably disposed at the first moving means.Further, if a plurality of the mounting portions 83A and 83B areprovided on the mounting table 82, the disk apparatus 80 functions as adisk changer.

The turntable 84 comprises a metal ring portion 85A at a portion atwhich the disk 10 is mounted, and a trunk portion 85B whose outerdiameter is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of a hole of thedisk 10. Further, the upper end of the trunk portion 85B is tapered.Moreover, a motor shaft 87 of a motor 86 is fixed to the bottom portionof the turntable 84, and when the motor 86 is driven, the turntable 84is rotated.

The mounting portions 83A and 83B of the mounting table 82 arerespectively caved so as to correspond to the 12 cm-disk 10 and the 8cm-disk 10. Further, each of the mounting portions 83A and 83B has athrough hole 82A through which the turntable 84 is passed. The throughhole 82A has a diameter that is slightly larger than that of the ringportion 85A of the turntable 84.

Therefore, the turntable 84 moves vertically along the mounting table 82that stops at a predetermined position, while passing through thethrough hole 82A. Namely, the turntable 84 moves the disk 10 up/downwith respect to the mounting portion 83A.

The damper 90 is rotatably mounted to a supporting portion 94, and has aring-shaped magnet 92. Further, an unillustrated hole is formed at thedamper 90 so as to correspond to the configuration of the trunk portion85B of the turntable 84. When the trunk portion 85B passes through theunillustrated hole, the magnet 92 magnetically attracting the ringportion 85A of the metal turntable 84 chucks the damper 90 (includingthe magnet 92) and the turntable 84 with each other.

On the other hand, in the disk apparatus 80 that is shown in FIG. 75,the disk 10 is chucked by moving the turntable 84 having the disk 10mounted on the mounting portion 83A upward. When the disk 10 is notappropriately mounted on the mounting portion 83A, i.e., when the disk10 is displaced from the mounting portion 83A, the disk 10 cannot bechucked. Thus, if the disk apparatus 80 is simply structured so as tomount the disk 10 on the mounting portion 83A, the disk 10 always needsbe parallel with the mounting portion 83A.

In the disk apparatus 80, the mounting portion 83A or 83B on which a 12cm-disk or an 8 cm-disk 10 is mounted must be formed on the mountingtable 82 to be concentric with each other. Further, in order toappropriately mount on the mounting portion 83A of the mounting table 82a so-called deformed disk which is formed into a heart shapedconfiguration or the like, it is necessary to correspond theconfiguration of the mounting portion 83A to that of the deformed disk.However, it is difficult to make the configuration of the mountingportion 83A correspond to various configurations of the deformed disks.

Accordingly, it is difficult to appropriately mount and chuck all of thedisks such as the deformed disks onto the mounting portion 83A or 83B. Aproblem is caused in that smooth and reliable chucking cannot beconducted on all of the disks.

Further, when the turntable is attached to the mounting table 82, inorder to connect the motor to the turntable, connection portions of themotor and the turntable are reliably positioned at a predeterminedposition therebetween. On the other hand, if a distance between a disksurface of the disk attached to the turntable and a pickup varies, afocal distance between the disk surface and the pickup may displace, andthereby causes a problem in that a focus servo control does not worksuccessfully.

The distance between the disk surface and the pickup should be strictlyadjusted such that the tolerance of the distance with respect to areference value is ±0.1 mm. Further, during the rotation of theturntable, when the rotation center is displaced in the radial directionthereof, a case in which a tracking serve control does not workappropriately. As described above, if the focus servo control or thetracking servo control does not work appropriately, a case occurs inwhich a reproducing operation cannot be carried out.

A conventional disk changer comprises a tray on which a plurality ofturntables on each of which a disk is mounted is disposed, a motor forthe tray that rotates the tray by being connected to the tray, a pickupfor reproducing data from the disk mounted on the turntable, a spindleof a spindle motor that is connected to the turntable, a chassis onwhich the spindle motor and the pickup are disposed, and a motor for thechassis for moving the chassis so that the spindle is connected to theturntable of the tray.

When a disk mounted on the turntable is reproduced, after thedisk-change has been carried out, the spindle and the turntable must beconnected to each other. Namely, the tray is rotated through the motorfor the tray, so that the turntable having a disk mounted thereoncorresponds to the spindle of the chassis. Thereafter, the chassis ismoved (upward) through the motor for the chassis in order to connect thespindle to the turntable of the tray.

Further, in the conventional disk changer, a rotational movement of thetray and a (vertical) movement of the chassis have been performed byseparate motors comprising a motor for the tray and a motor for thechassis. Therefore, in the conventional disk changer, since two motorshave been required, separate gears have been also required for forming adriving path for the motors. Accordingly, the conventional disk changerrequires more parts, needs be structured in a more complicated manner,and is thereby manufactured at more expense.

As described above, among the conventional disk changers, there has beenprovided a type of a disk changer comprising a tray in which a pluralityof turntables on each of which a disk is mounted is disposed, a pickupfor reproducing data from the disks mounted on the turntables, and aspindle of a spindle motor that is connected to each of the turntables,and a chassis on which the spindle motor and the pickup are disposed.

The aforementioned type of the disk changer is structured such that theturntables that are rotatably disposed on the tray and the spindle ofthe spindle motor that is disposed at the chassis can be separated fromeach other. For this reason, in the state in which each of theturntables and the spindle are not connected to each other (such as in adisk-change mode), for example, the bottom surface of each of theturntable abuts the upper surface of the tray.

On the other hand, in the state in which the turntable and the spindleare connected to each other (such as in a play mode), for example, inorder not to damage a rotation of the turntable, the spindle is used toseparate (float) the turntable from the tray and prevent the turntableand the tray from abutting to each other.

When a disk mounted on the turntable is reproduced, after a disk-changehas been carried out, the spindle and the turntable must be connected toeach other. Namely, the tray is rotated so as to correspond theturntable having a disk mounted thereon to the spindle of the chassis,and thereafter, the chassis is moved (upward) so that the spindle isconnected to the turntable of the tray.

In the conventional disk changer described above, since the turntabledisposed on the tray and the spindle of the spindle motor disposed onthe chassis are structured to be separated from each other, a gap (play)must be formed between the turntable and the tray in order to separate(float) the turntable from the tray.

In the state in which the turntable and the tray are not connected toeach other, for example, during the disk-change during which the tray isrotating or while the disk apparatus is being carried, a play betweenthe turntable and the tray causes a so-called rattling noise.

In the conventional disk changer, in a connection mode in which thespindle and the turntable are connected to each other, the chassis issupported to the apparatus body merely by an operation lever. Namely, inthe connection mode, for example, when a disk is attached or detachedwith respect to the turntable, it is feared that an unexpected load isapplied to the tray, thus entering an unstable state. In this case,attaching/detaching operation of a disk with respect to the turntablebecomes difficult.

In the above-described conventional disk changer, in a case in which atray is formed into a rectangular shape having solid-angle portions, forexample, because the tray rotates, a gap between each of turntablesdisposed on the tray and an opening portion of a panel must be madelarger. Namely, in this case, since a user needs to stretch his or herhand to the turntable at a position that is separated from the openingportion of the panel, an attaching/detaching operation of a disk withrespect to the turntable becomes difficult.

On the other hand, among conventional disk apparatuses, there has beenprovided a type of a disk apparatus in which an engaging member (balls,coil springs, and the like) for positioning a disk on a mounting surfaceof a turntable is provided at the turntable. Then, in order to position(attach) a disk on the mounting surface of the turntable, the disk mustpass through the engaging member.

When a disk is incompletely attached to the turntable, informationrecorded on the disk cannot be reproduced. Further, in a disk changer ofa type in which a tray being rotated, when a disk is incompletelyattached to a turntable disposed on the tray, it is feared that, duringa rotation of the tray, the disk flies away from the turntable due to acentrifugal force.

As shown in FIG. 59, a disk changer 300 of a type can be thought of,comprising a plurality of supporting portions 305 on which turntables302 each having the disk 10 mounted thereon are disposed, and a tray 304that is formed in a plan into a triangular configuration havingsolid-angle portions 304A. The tray 304 is rotatably disposed at thedisk changer 300.

In the disk changer 300 shown in FIG. 59, as shown in FIG. 60, when thetray 304 is rotated to change the disk, one of the solid-angle portions304A protrudes from single dot lines of FIG. 60. Therefore, the width ofa base 301 of the disk changer 300 must be longer twice as much as alength LC. Namely, the width of the base 301 requires twice a maximumradius LA of the tray 304, i.e., twice a distance between a rotationalcenter PA of the tray 304 and a vertex of each solid-angle portion 304A.

Further, conventionally, as a disk holding apparatus for holding a diskat a turntable, a ball-chuck mechanism is provided at a trunk portion ofthe turntable. As shown in FIGS. 76 and 77, the ball-chuck mechanismcomprises balls 474, and coil springs 476 for protruding portions of theballs 474 from a trunk portion 471 of a turntable 470.

When the disk 10 shown in FIG. 77 is attached to the turntable 470, theballs 474 are pressed by an inner diameter of the disk 10 so that thedisk 10 is moved over the balls 474 and mounted on a mounting portion472 of the turntable 470. When the disk 10 is mounted on the mountingportion 472, the balls 474 are popped out by the urging force of thecoil springs 476. Namely, since the balls 474 abut the disk 10 and pressthe disk 10 toward the mounting portion 472, the disk 10 can reliably beheld at the turntable 470.

In the ball-chuck mechanism shown in FIGS. 76 ad 77, when the disk 10 isdetached from the turntable 470, the disk 10 has been forcibly detachedfrom the trunk portion 471 of the mounting portion 472 to resist theurging force of the coil springs 476 applying to the balls 474.

When the disk 10 engaged by the balls 474 is forcibly detached from theturntable 470, the disk 10 is prone to be damaged so that a carefulhandling is needed during the detachment of the disk 10.

In order to solve the aforementioned facts, it is considered to reducethe urging force of the coil springs. However, in this case, when ashock is applied to the apparatus body, it is feared that the disk 10 iseasily ejected from the trunk portion 471.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a disk supportingapparatus whose space is minimized, and can be manufactured simply andinexpensively.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a disk holdingapparatus and a disk apparatus in which positioning between a turntableand a disk is carried out smoothly and reliably.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the disk apparatusin which both rotation of a tray having a plurality of turntablesdisposed thereon and movement of a holder having information processingmeans disposed thereon are carried out via a common driving path.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the disk apparatusin which a rattle or a rattling noise due to a play between theturntable and the tray can be prevented.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the disk apparatusin which a disk can be detached or attached with respect to a turntablewith more excellent workability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the disk apparatusin which it is detected whether or not a disk is appropriately attachedto the turntable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the disk apparatusin which an apparatus body having a tray which is formed into atriangular configuration as seen from a plan view is made compact.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a disk holdingapparatus in which a disk is reliably held on a turntable even if a weakurging force is applied to urge an engaging means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a disk holdingapparatus in which a turntable and first driving means can be connectedto each other and positioned smoothly and reliably.

The disk supporting apparatus according to claim 1 of the presentinvention characterized in that the apparatus comprises, first holdingmeans for rotatably holding a disk, and supporting means for supportinga plurality of the first holding means to be concentric therewith,wherein the supporting means rotates to be concentric with the firstholding means.

In accordance with the disk supporting apparatus of claim 1 of thepresent invention, since disks are supported and held rotatably by theplurality of first holding means that are supported concentrically withthe supporting means, a disk can be inclined or placed upright at eachof the first holding means. In this case, a planar dimension (space) ofthe disk supporting apparatus can be saved.

The disk supporting apparatus according to claim 3 of the presentinvention is characterized in that the first holding means is connectedto or released from disk driving means that is provided at reproducingmeans for reproducing the disk, and in a reproducible state of the diskheld by the first holding means, the supporting means support the firstholding means, and surfaces of respective disks form faces of apolygonal pyramid configuration including a predetermined point on theaxis, as a vertex.

In accordance with the disk supporting apparatus of claim 3 of thepresent invention, since, in a reproducible state of the disk held bythe first holding means, the supporting means support the first holdingmeans, and surfaces of respective disks form faces of a polygonalpyramid configuration including a predetermined point on the axis, as avertex, a planar dimension (space) of the disk supporting apparatus canbe lessened. Namely, in accordance with the disk supporting apparatus ofclaim 3 of the present invention, since a planar dimension of the disksupporting apparatus of the present invention becomes narrower than thatof a conventional turntable, a plurality of disks can be disposed at thedisk supporting apparatus.

The disk supporting apparatus according to claim 5 of the presentinvention is characterized in that a distance between the engagingportion and an opening end portion of the supporting portion is shorterthan a radius of a disk. In accordance with the disk supportingapparatus of claim 5 of the present invention, since the distancebetween the engaging portion and the opening end portion of thesupporting portion is shorter than the radius of the disk, thesupporting portion can be made smaller than a mounting portion of aconventional turntable.

The disk holding apparatus according to claim 6 of the present inventionis characterized in that the apparatus comprises a turntable forrotatably holding a disk, first driving means for rotating and drivingthe turntable, and connecting means for connecting the first drivingmeans and the turntable to each other, wherein the first driving meansand the turntable are self-held by the connecting means.

The disk apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention ischaracterized in that the apparatus comprises a turntable for rotatablyholding a disk, disk driving means which can be connected to or releasedfrom a turntable for rotating and driving the turntable, connectingmeans for connecting the turntable and the first driving means to eachother, and first moving means for moving the turntable between oneposition at which the turntable and the first driving means areconnected to each other and another position.

In accordance with the disk supporting apparatus or the disk apparatusof claim 6 or 7 of the present invention, a disk is held at theturntable. The connecting means connects the first driving means and theturntable to each other. In this connecting state, the connecting meansself-holds the first driving means and the turntable. Here,“self-holding” is an idea that the first driving means and the turntableare held by being tightly kept in contact with each other due to amagnetic force and the like. In other words, in accordance with claim 6or 7 of the present invention, since the turntable and the first drivingmeans are self-held by the connecting means, they can be connected toeach other smoothly and reliably.

In the above-described connecting state, the first driving means isdriven to rotate the turntable, and accordingly, the disk held by theturntable is rotated. Further, connection of the first driving means andthe turntable is released by the connecting means.

In accordance with the disk supporting apparatus or the disk apparatusof claim 6 or 7, if a disk apparatus is structured so as to move theturntable between one position at which the turntable and the firstdriving means are connected to each other and the other, a disk isrotatably held at the turntable in advance, and the disk is notdisplaced from the turntable, whereby a conventional mis-chucking of adisk can be prevented. Further, In accordance with the present inventionof claims 6 and 7, since a disk is rotatably held at the turntable inadvance, even when a deformed disk is used, the disk can be positionedsmoothly and reliably at the turntable.

The disk holding apparatus according to claim 8 of the present inventionis characterized in that the apparatus comprises a turntable which has afirst connecting portion and rotatably holds a disk, first driving meanswhich has a second connecting portion that connects to the firstconnecting portion for rotatably driving the turntable, connecting meansfor connecting the first driving means and the turntable to each otherby connecting the first connecting portion and the second connectingportion, and first positioning means for positioning one of the firstconnecting portion and the second connecting portion in the state inwhich the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion areconnected to each other.

In accordance with the disk holding apparatus of claim 8 of the presentinvention, the disk is held at the turntable. The first driving meansand the turntable are connected to each other by the connecting means.Further, One of the first connecting portion and the second connectingportion is positioned by the first positioning means in the state inwhich the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion areconnected to each other. Then, in the aforementioned connected state,the first driving means is driven to rotate the turntable. Accordingly,the disk held at the turntable is rotated. Moreover, connection of thefirst driving means and the turntable is released by the connectingmeans.

In accordance with the disk holding apparatus of claim 8 of the presentinvention, the first positioning means urges one of the first connectingportion and the second connecting portion in a single direction (adirection of a “reference surface” in a first embodiment of the presentinvention that will be described below). Accordingly, a radial alignmentof the first driving means and the turntable is carried out.Consequently, a rotational run-out of the turntable that may occurduring the rotation of the first driving means can be prevented.

Further, in accordance with the disk holding apparatus of claim 8 of thepresent invention, a distance between a pickup disposed at the diskapparatus and the disk attached to the turntable and a rotational centerof the turntable is always maintained constant. Accordingly, the focusservo and the tracking servo can appropriately be controlled.

In accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 9 of the presentinvention, even if the disk apparatus is structured so as to move theturntable between one position at which the turntable and the firstdriving means are connected to each other and the other, since a disk isrotatably held at the turntable in advance, the disk is not displacedfrom the turntable. Accordingly, conventional mis-chucking of a disk canbe prevented. Further, in accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 9of the present invention, since a disk is rotatably held at theturntable in advance, even when a deformed disk is used, the disk can bepositioned smoothly and reliably at the turntable.

The disk apparatus according to claim 10 of the present invention ischaracterized in that the apparatus comprises a tray which is rotatablydisposed and which has turntables on which disks are mounted, theturntables being disposed so as to correspond to a plurality ofsupporting portions; a holder which has connecting means which ismovably disposed so as to connect to each of the turntables and whichhas information processing means for conducting information processingwith respect to the disks, and second driving means for rotating thetray and moving the holder via a common driving path.

In accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 10 of the presentinvention, since the tray is rotated and the holder is moved,respectively, by the same second driving means and a common drivingpath, the number of parts used for the apparatus of the presentinvention can be reduced as compared to those in a conventional diskchanger, whereby the disk apparatus is structured more simply andmanufactured inexpensively.

The disk apparatus of claim 11 of the present invention is characterizedin that the apparatus comprises a tray which is disposed rotatably andwhich has turntables on which disks are mounted so as to correspond to aplurality of supporting portions, information processing means which hasconnecting means which is movably disposed so as to connect to each ofthe turntables and which conducts information processing with respect toa disk, and lock means which locks the turntable at a predeterminedposition in an unconnected mode in which the connecting means is notconnected to the turntable.

In accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 11 of the presentinvention, the lock means locks the turntable at a predeterminedposition in the unconnected mode in which the connecting means is notconnected to the turntable. On the other hand, in the connected mode inwhich the connecting means is connected to the turntable, the lock meansis separated from the turntable, the turntable is floated away from thetray, and becomes rotatable.

In accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 11 of the presentinvention, the lock means locks the turntable at a predeterminedposition in an unconnected mode in which the connecting means is notconnected to the turntable. Accordingly, even when the turntable and aspindle are not connected to each other, for example, during a diskchange time at which the tray is rotating, or at the time when the diskapparatus is carried, occurrence of a rattle or a rattling noise due toa play between the turntable and the tray can be prevented.

The disk apparatus according to claim 12 of the present invention ischaracterized in that the apparatus comprises a movable tray which hasturntables on which disks are mounted, information processing means thathas connecting means which is movably disposed so as to connect to eachof the turntables and that performs information processing with respectto the disks, and third positioning means for positioning theinformation processing means for which connection between the connectingmeans and the turntable has been completed.

In accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 12 of the presentinvention, the third positioning means positions the informationprocessing means in the state in which connection between the connectingmeans and the turntable has been completed. Therefore, when a disk isdetached or attached with respected to a turntable, if an unexpectedload is applied to the tray, the tray is reliably supported.Accordingly, since the tray for which the connection between theconnecting means and the turntable has been completed is reliablysupported by the third positioning means, the disk can be detached orattached with respect to the turntable with more excellent workability.

The disk apparatus of claim 13 of the present invention is characterizedin that the apparatus comprises a tray which has solid-angle portionsand on which turntables having disks mounted thereon are disposed, anapparatus body for rotatably supporting the tray, a panel having anopening portion through which disks are attached to/removed from aturntable, and second moving means for moving the apparatus body inorder to place the tray in the vicinity of the panel when a disk isattached to/removed from the turntable through the opening portion.

The second moving means moves the apparatus body in order to place thetray in the vicinity of the panel when a disk is attached to/removedfrom the turntable through the opening portion i.e., after the tray hasbeen rotated (e.g. after a disk has been changed). Namely, in accordancewith the disk apparatus of claim 13 of the present invention, after thedisk has been changed, the second moving means moves the apparatus bodyin order to place the tray in the vicinity of the panel. Accordingly, agap between the turntable and the opening portion of the panel becomessmaller than that of a conventional disk apparatus. As a result, a diskis attached to/removed from the turntable through the opening portionwith more excellent workability.

The disk apparatus of claim 14 of the present invention is characterizedin that the apparatus comprises a turntable having a mounting surfacefor mounting a disk thereon, second holding means that is disposed atthe turntable and holds a disk on the mounting surface, and detectingmeans for detecting whether or not a disk is inclined with respect tothe mounting surface when the disk is positioned at the second holdingmeans.

When a disk is not appropriately attached to the turntable, i.e., when adisk is placed on the second holding means, the detecting means detectsthat the disk is inclined with respect to the mounting surface of theturntable. On the other hand, when a disk is appropriately attached tothe turntable, the detecting means detects that the disk is mounted onthe mounting surface in parallel thereto.

Consequently, since the detecting means detects that a disk is notappropriately attached to the turntable, in the disk changer, forexample, a disk is prevented from flowing away from the turntable due toa centrifugal force.

The disk apparatus of claim 15 of the present invention is characterizedin that the apparatus comprises a tray which has a plane surface havingtriangular solid-angle portions and which is provided with a pluralityof supporting portions at which turntables having disks mounted thereonare disposed, an apparatus body for rotatably supporting the tray, andsliding means that, during the rotation of the tray, slides the tray ina direction opposing a direction in which one solid-angle portionprotrudes, from an initial position at which one supporting portion ispositioned at a front of the apparatus body.

During the rotation of the tray, the sliding means slides the tray inthe direction opposing the direction in which one solid-angle portionprotrudes from an initial position at which one supporting portion ispositioned at a front of the apparatus body. Namely, in accordance withthe disk apparatus of claim 15 of the present invention, during therotation of the tray, since the sliding means slides the tray such thatthe solid-angle portion of the tray does not protrude from the apparatusbody, the apparatus body can be made more compact than a conventionalone.

The disk holding apparatus of claim 16 of the present invention ischaracterized in that the apparatus comprises a turntable having both amounting portion on which a disk is mounted and an attachment portiononto which a central hole of the disk is fitted, engaging means which isdisposed at the turntable and moves in a radial direction to therebyengage the disk with the attachment portion, urging means which isdisposed at the turntable and urges the engaging means away from theattachment portion, control means that is movably disposed at theturntable to control the engaging means to move into the attachmentportion, and release means which is movably disposed at the turntable torelease the control means from the engaging means.

When a disk is mounted on the turntable, the engaging means abuts thedisk in order to hold the disk at the turntable. The release means ismoved in order to detach a disk from the turntable. When the releasemeans is moved, the engaging means becomes movable into the attachmentportion, and a disk becomes detachable from the mounting portion.Thereafter, the disk is detached from the turntable.

On the other hand, in the state in which the engaging means and thecontrol means are opposed to each other (e.g. in the stop mode), even ifunexpected force (load) is applied into a disk, the engaging means isappropriately positioned by the control means so that a disk can beappropriately held at the turntable.

In accordance with the disk holding apparatus of claim 16 of the presentinvention, for example, even if a shock is applied to the apparatusbody, since the engaging means and the control means abut with eachother, a disk is not easily ejected from the turntable, and the disk canreliably be held at the turntable.

The disk holding apparatus of claim 18 of the present invention ischaracterized in that the apparatus comprises a turntable which has athird connecting portion and rotatably holds a disk, first driving meanswhich can be connected to the turntable and drives to rotate theturntable and has a fourth connecting portion which connects to thethird connecting portion, and second positioning means for positioningthe third connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion in aconnected state thereof.

The second positioning means positions the third connecting portion andthe fourth connecting portion in the connected state thereof. In thisstate, the first driving means is driven to rotate the turntable, andaccordingly, a disk held at the turntable rotates.

In accordance with the disk holding apparatus of the claim 18 of thepresent invention, the disk holding apparatus is structured to beconnectable to the turntable. However, since the second positioningmeans is provided between the third connecting portion of the turntableand the fourth connecting portion of the first driving means, the thirdconnecting portion and the fourth connecting portion are tightlyconnected and secured to each other by the second positioning means,whereby the turntable becomes more resistant to vibration.

Further, in accordance with the disk holding device of claim 18 of thepresent invention, since the second positioning means is providedbetween the third connecting portion of the turntable and the fourthconnecting portion of the first driving means, the first driving meansand the turntable are radially aligned to each other, whereby arotational run-out of the turntable during the rotation of the firstdriving means can be prevented.

Moreover, in accordance with the disk holding device of claim 18 of thepresent invention, since a distance between a pickup provided at thedisk apparatus and a disk attached to the turntable, and a rotationalcenter of the turntable are maintained constant, a focus servo and atracking servo are normally controlled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a positional relationship between a diskchanger and a door leaf that are disposed in a component stereoapparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a main portion of the diskchanger shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a turntable shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a turntable shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a supporting portion of the turntable shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view of a main portion of the turntableshown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6B is a cross sectional view of a state inwhich a ring member is connected to the turntable shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view of a main portion of a variant exampleof a connection mechanism shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B is a crosssectional view of a state in which a ring member is connected to aturntable shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a view of a state before a motor shaft is inserted into ahole shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B is a view of a state after the motorshaft is inserted into the hole;

FIG. 9A is a plan view of a main portion of a variant example of aconnection mechanism shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a cross sectionalview cut along a line 9B—9B of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a plan view of the connection mechanism in the state inwhich a motor shaft is inserted into a hole of a turntable shown in FIG.9A, and FIG. 10B is a cross sectional view cut along a line 10B—10B ofFIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is a plan view of a main portion of another variant example ofthe connection mechanism shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 11B shows a plan viewof the connection mechanism in the state in which a motor shaft isinserted into a hole shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a plan view of a main portion of another variant example ofthe connection mechanism shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 12B is a plan view ofa state of the connection mechanism in which a motor shaft is insertedinto a hole shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a state in which a 12 cm-disk isdisposed at a supporting portion of the disk changer shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a state in which an 8 cm-disk isdisposed at a supporting portion of the disk changer shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a main portion of a component stereoapparatus according to a variant example of the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a main portion of a component stereoapparatus according to another variant example of the first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 17A is a schematic view of a main portion of a disk changeraccording to another variant example of the first embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 17B shows a perspective view of the mainportion of the disk changer shown in FIG. 17A;

FIG. 18A is a schematic view of a component stereo apparatus showing amain portion of the disk changer according to another variant example ofthe first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18B is aperspective view of the main portion of the disk changer shown in FIG.18A;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a disk changer disposed at the componentstereo apparatus according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a side view of a disk changer in the state in which a trayshown in FIG. 19 is broken;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view for explaining a driving path of a trayof the disk changer shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 shows a plan view of a driving path of the disk changer shown inFIG. 21;

FIG. 23 shows a bottom plan view of the tray of the disk changer shownin FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 shows a plan view of a cam gear of the disk changer shown inFIG. 20;

FIG. 25 shows a cross sectional view of the disk changer cut along aline 25—25 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 shows a cross sectional view of the disk changer cut along aline 26—26 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is an expanded view of the disk changer in which a cam portionand a cam groove of the cam gear of the disk changer shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view of the disk changer in which a drivingpath on which the tray shown in FIG. 20 is rotated and driven;

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view of the disk changer in the state in whichthe tray shown in FIG. 28 is slightly rotated;

FIG. 30 is an explanatory view of the disk changer in the state in whichthe tray shown in FIG. 29 is slightly rotated;

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view of the disk changer in the state in whichthe tray shown in FIG. 30 is slightly rotated;

FIG. 32 is an explanatory view of the disk changer in the state in whichthe tray shown in FIG. 31 is slightly rotated;

FIG. 33 is an explanatory view of the disk changer in the state in whichthe tray shown in FIG. 32 is slightly rotated;

FIG. 34 is an explanatory view of the disk changer in the state in whichthe tray shown in FIG. 33 is slightly rotated;

FIG. 35 is an explanatory view of the disk changer in the state in whichthe tray shown in FIG. 34 is slightly rotated;

FIG. 36 is an explanatory view of the disk changer in the state in whichthe cam gear shown in FIG. 3 is rotated;

FIG. 37 is a side view of the disk changer in the state in which a diskdrive unit shown in FIG. 20 is moved upwardly;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a disk drive unit of the disk changershown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of an operation lever and a positioninglever of the disk changer in which shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 40 is an explanatory view of the disk drive unit shown in FIG. 20is rotated, and a tip end of a spindle is slightly inserted into a holeportion of a turntable;

FIG. 41 is a front view of a state of the disk drive unit shown in FIG.40;

FIG. 42A is a cross sectional view of a state in which a spindle of thedisk drive unit shown in FIG. 40 is further inserted into a hole portionof a turntable, and FIG. 42B is a view of a positional relationshipbetween a clamp portion in FIG. 42A and an engaging pin;

FIG. 43A is a cross sectional view of the disk drive unit in the statein which the spindle shown in FIG. 42A is further inserted into a holeportion of a turntable, and FIG. 43B shows a positional relationshipbetween a clamp portion and an engaging pin in FIG. 43A;

FIG. 44A is a cross sectional view of the disk drive unit in the statein which the spindle shown in FIG. 43A is further inserted into a holeportion of a turntable, and FIG. 44B shows a positional relationshipbetween a clamp portion and an engaging pin in FIG. 44A;

FIG. 45 is a cross sectional view in which the disk drive unit shown inFIG. 40 is rotated, and connection of the spindle and the turntable iscompleted;

FIG. 46 is a front view of the disk drive unit shown in FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is an explanatory view of a detecting structure of a diskattachment according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 48 is an explanatory view of a state in which a disk is normallymounted on a detecting structure shown in FIG. 47;

FIG. 49 is an explanatory view of a state in which the disk is notnormally mounted on the detecting structure shown in FIG. 47;

FIG. 50 is a plan view of a main portion of a disk changer according toa third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 51 is a cross sectional view of a main portion of the disk changershown in FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a cross sectional view of a state in which the disk changershown in FIG. 51 is inclined;

FIG. 53 is a plan view of a main portion of a disk changer according toa fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a cross sectional view of a main portion of the disk changershown in FIG. 53;

FIG. 55A is an enlarged view of a drive gear portion shown in FIG. 54,and FIG. 55B is a view of a relationship in which gears shown in FIG.55A mesh with each other;

FIG. 56 is a schematic plan view of the disk changer shown in FIG. 53;

FIG. 57 is a plan view of the disk changer shown in FIG. 56 which isslid in a left-hand direction;

FIG. 58 is a plan view of the disk changer shown in FIG. 57 which isslid in a right-hand direction;

FIG. 59 is a plan view of a disk changer whose tray in a disk changer isformed into a substantially triangular pyramid;

FIG. 60 is an illustrative view that illustrates a state in which thetray is rotated and projected from both sides of a base;

FIG. 61 is a plan view of a disk holding apparatus according to a fifthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 62 is a cross sectional view of the disk holding apparatus cutalong a line 62—62 in FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 is a cross sectional view of the disk holding apparatus whosehook lever and lock member shown in FIG. 62 abut with each other;

FIG. 64 is a cross sectional view of the disk holding apparatus in aplay mode or a stop mode in which connecting members of the turntableand a spindle shown in FIG. 62 are connected to each other to lift theturntable from the supporting portion thereof;

FIG. 65 is a cross sectional view of the disk holding apparatus in thestate in which a take-out button shown in FIG. 64 is pressed;

FIG. 66 is a cross sectional view of a main portion of a disk holdingapparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a collar of the disk holding apparatusshown in FIG. 66;

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of the collar of the disk holdingapparatus shown in FIG. 66;

FIG. 69A is a cross sectional view of the collar cut along a line69A—69A of FIG. 67, and FIG. 69B is a cross sectional view of the collarcut along a line 69B—69B of FIG. 67;

FIG. 70 is a cross sectional view of a state in which the collar of thedisk holding apparatus shown in FIG. 66 abuts with a connecting concaveportion of a turntable;

FIG. 71 is a cross sectional view of a state in which connecting membersof a turntable and a spindle of the disk holding apparatus shown in FIG.66 are connected to each other;

FIG. 72 is a cross sectional view of the disk holding apparatus in thestate in which a take-out button is pressed;

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of a main portion of a disk apparatusaccording to a variant example of the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 74 is a perspective view showing a main portion of a conventionaldisk changer;

FIG. 75 is a cross sectional view of a main portion of a conventionaldisk player;

FIG. 76 is a plan view of a main portion of a conventional turntable;and

FIG. 77 is a cross sectional view of the conventional turntable shown inFIG. 76.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, a description of a disk supportingapparatus, a disk holding apparatus and a disk apparatus according to afirst embodiment of the present invention will be made hereinafter. Thedisk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention is an example of a disk changer built in a component stereoapparatus.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a positional relationship between a diskchanger and a door leaf that are disposed in the component stereoapparatus, FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a main portion ofthe disk changer shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a turntableshown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a turntable shownin FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a front view of a supporting portion of theturntable shown in FIG. 3.

Overall Structure of the Component Stereo Apparatus

As shown in FIG. 1, a disk changer 20 is built in a cabinet 12 of thecomponent stereo apparatus (hereinafter, a “stereo apparatus”), and asubstantially rectangular opening portion 13 is formed at a front panelfor constituting the cabinet 12, so as to oppose the disk changer 20.Further, a door leaf 14 is slidably disposed at the stereo apparatus soas to correspond to the opening portion 13.

An unillustrated opening/closing button for opening/closing the doorleaf 14 is disposed at the stereo apparatus, and due to an operation ofan opening/closing button, the door leaf 14 is slid to open/close theopening portion 13. Further, an unillustrated tuner, tape recorder orthe like is incorporated in the stereo apparatus.

Structure of the Disk Changer

As shown in FIG. 2, the disk changer 20 comprises a disk drive unit 24disposed at a frame 22, a tray 26 for supporting a plurality of disks.The disk drive unit 24 has a supporting shaft 30 that is attached to abase 28. The supporting shaft 30 is passed through a pair of bearings 32that are disposed upright from the frame 22, and then connected to theframe 22 via the bearings 32. Further, a motor 34 as first driving meansis connected to one end of the supporting shaft 32. Due to the rotationof the motor 34, the base 34 rotates around the supporting shaft 30 as acenter.

A pickup 36 is disposed so as to move slidably at the disk drive unit24. A motor 38 (see FIG. 6) as the first drive means for rotating anddriving turntables 42 on the tray 26 is also disposed at the disk driveunit 24. Namely, as shown in FIG. 6, a ring member 40 for constitutingconnecting means is fixed to a motor shaft 39 of the motor 38, and isconnected to or separated from the turntable 42 of the tray 26 that ispositioned at a predetermined position (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

A head portion 40A whose diameter is larger than that of the motor shaft39 is formed at a tip end portion of the ring member 40. The tip endportion of the head portion 40A is tapered. A magnet member 41 forconstituting the connecting means is concentrically fixed to the ringmember 40 at the head portion 41 side thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of plate-shaped supporting portions 44(three in this embodiment) for supporting the turntables 42, each ofwhich holds a disk 10 such as a 12 cm-disk 10 (see FIG. 13) or an 8cm-disk 11 (see FIG. 14), are formed integrally with the tray 26. Theplurality of the supporting portions 44 are respectively inclined withrespect to a shaft center P2 of a spindle 50 (see FIG. 4) of the tray 26so as to have a vertex P1 as a center of rotation. Accordingly, the tray26 is formed into a substantially triangular pyramid configuration whoseside portions are formed by the supporting portions 44.

A top portion 46 as a rotational center of the tray 26 is flat shaped,and accordingly, formed into a truncated polygonal pyramidconfiguration. As shown in FIG. 4, a tip end portion of the spindle 50is fitted into a central portion of the top portion 46 of the tray 26.Further, the tray 26 is disposed such that one of the supportingportions 44 faces the opening portion 13, and the disk 10 can beattached to/removed from the turntable through the opening portion 13.

A motor 52 for rotating and driving the tray 26 is mounted at a proximalend of the spindle 50. Due to a rotation of the motor 52, the tray 26rotates around the vertex P1 (i.e., the shaft center P2 of the spindle50) as a center. Further, unillustrated selection keys corresponding tothe respectively supporting portions 44 are disposed at the stereoapparatus. Namely, inherent identifiers (identification numbers) arepreviously denoted to the respective supporting portions 44. Due to anoperation of a selection key corresponding to each of the identificationnumbers, the tray 26 rotates around the spindle 50 as a center, and theselected supporting portion 44 faces the door leaf 14 (i.e., the openingportion 13) shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the turntable 42 which is made of a syntheticresin is disposed at each supporting portion 44 so as to correspond tothe ring member 40 in the disk drive unit 24. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5,the turntable 42 comprises a mounting portion 42A on which the 12cm-disk 10 or the 8 cm-disk 11 is mounted, and a trunk portion 42B whoseouter diameter is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of a hole ofthe disk 10 (or the disk 11).

A ball-chuck mechanism as holding means for rotatably holding the disk10 is disposed at the trunk portion 42B of the turntable 42. As shown inFIG. 6, the ball-chuck mechanism is formed by balls 54, a portion ofwhich is protruded from the turntable 42 by, for example, anunillustrated coil spring that is disposed inside the turntable 42.Accordingly, when the balls 54 are pressed by the inner circumferentialportion of the disk 10, the disk 10 passes over the balls 54 and is thenmounted on a mounting portion 42A.

When the disk 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 42A, as shown inFIG. 6, the balls 54 is urged by the unillustrated coil spring, andpressed out from the disk 10. Namely, since the balls 54 abut the disk10 to press the disk 10 toward the mounting portion 42A, the disk 10 isreliably held at the turntable 42.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the turntable 42 comprises a proximalportion 42C whose diameter is the same as that of the mounting portion42A and a connecting portion 42D that connects the proximal portion 42Cand the mounting portion 42A to each other. The proximal portion 42C andthe connecting portion 42D are integrally formed with the turntable 42.The turntable 42 is rotatably supported by the supporting portion suchthat the supporting portion 44 is interposed between the mountingportion 42A and the proximal portion 42C, and the connecting portion 42Dis passed through a through hole 45 formed at the supporting portion 44.A metal ring member 43 for constituting the connecting means is fixed tothe proximal portion 42C of the turntable 42. Further, a hole 56 shownby a dotted line in FIG. 6 is formed at both the turntable 42 and thering member 43, and the hole 56 is formed so as to correspond to theshape of the head portion 41A of the ring member 40.

As shown in FIG. 6B, in the state in which the head portion 40A isinserted into the hole 56, the magnet member 41 magnetically attractingthe metal ring member 43 reliably connects the turntable 42 and the ringmember 40 (including the magnet member 41) with each other

The base 28 shown in FIG. 2 is rotated with respect to the frame 22, andthe ring member 40 is made to come close to or separate from thecorresponding supporting portion 44. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6A,the ring member 40 is separated from the corresponding turntable 42, andas shown in FIG. 6B, the ring member 40 is connected to the turntable42.

In the state in which the ring member 40 is separated from the turntable42 (see FIG. 6A), the tray 26 can be rotated by the motor 52 (see FIG.4) and a desired supporting portion 44 stops in front of the door leaf14 (see FIG. 1). Further, in the state in which the tray 26 is stopped(see FIG. 2), the disk changer 20 enters a state in which the magnetmember 41 is connected to the ring member 43, thus making the turntable42 rotatable (see FIG. 6B).

In the rotatable state of the turntable 42, the turntable 42 is rotatedby the motor 38, and the pickup 36 shown in FIG. 2 carries out a datareproducing processing on the disk 10 or 11.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the 12 cm-disk 10 is mounted on the turntable42, the supporting portion 44 is structured so as to face almost a halfportion of the disk 10. Namely, in the present embodiment, since theplate-shaped supporting portion 44 supports the turntable 42 alone, thetray 26 whose size is smaller than that of a mounting portion of aconventional mounting table 82 shown in FIG. 75 will suffice.

The first embodiment of the present invention corresponds to claim 4. Adistance between the through hole 45 as an engaging portion and anopening end portion of the supporting portion 44 is structured to beshorter than a radius of the disk 10.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the state in which the 12 cm-disks 10 arerespectively supported by the supporting portions 44 of the tray 26, thedisks 10 do not overlap each other. In other words, in the presentembodiment, even when three 12 cm-disks 10 are respectively mounted onthree supporting portions 44, three disks 10 do not overlap each other.Accordingly, a user can attach the disks 10 to the turntables speedilyand easily through the opening portion 13.

Subsequently, a description of an operation of the present embodimentwill be made. As shown in FIG. 1, in order to attach the disk 10 to thetray 26 of the disk changer 20, an unillustrated selection key isoperated to face a desired supporting portion 44 with the openingportion 13. Then, an unillustrated opening/closing button is operated toslide the door leaf 14 to open the opening portion 13.

Since the desired supporting portion 44 faces the opened opening portion13, the disk 10 is attached to the turntable 42 of this supportingportion 44. Namely, the disk 10 is rotatably held at the supportingportion 44 by the turntable 42 having the ball-chuck mechanism (such asthe balls 54).

In the present embodiment, the tray 26 is formed into a substantiallytriangular pyramid (three-dimensional) configuration, and a planardimension thereof can be made smaller than that of a conventionalturntable 492 (see FIG. 74), whereby the space of the tray 26 can belessened. Namely, in accordance with the present embodiment, since theplanar dimension of the tray 26 can be made smaller than that of aconventional turntable 492 shown in FIG. 74, a plurality of the disks 10or 11 can be mounted on the tray 26 whose space is thus lessened.

The turntable 42 for holding the disk 10 or 11 is not fixed to thesupporting portion 44. Accordingly, in a waiting state shown in FIG. 6Ain which the disk drive unit 24 is separated from the turntable 42 ofthe supporting portion 44, the disk 10 or 11 does not form a pyramidsurface like the supporting portion 44.

On the other hand, in the state in which reproduction is enabled suchthat the magnet member 41 that is disposed at the disk drive unit 24 isconnected to the ring member 43 of the turntable 42 (see FIG. 6B), thecorresponding disk 10 or 11 becomes parallel to the supporting portion44 to thereby form a pyramid surface.

In order to face the supporting portion 44 of the tray 26 with theopening portion 13 in parallel thereto, the rotational axis P2 of thetray 26 may be inclined at a suitable angle. Therefore, it becomesnecessary to use a conventional slide mechanism for sliding the tray 494(see FIG. 74) in order to attach/remove a disk with respect to aturntable. Namely, in accordance with the present embodiment, since adesired disk 10 or 11 can be attached/detached by rotating and drivingmeans of the tray 26 alone, a mechanism equipped at the stereo apparatuscan be simplified and manufactured inexpensively.

In accordance with the present embodiment, since the ball-chuckmechanism including the balls 54 or the like is provided at theturntable 42, as shown in FIG. 1, even when the disk 10 or 11 isdisposed vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, the disk 10 or 11 canreliably be held at the tray 26 through the turntable 42. Accordingly,in whatever direction a disk is oriented with respect to the diskapparatus, the disk can be held inside or outside the disk apparatus.

In the state in which the tray 26 is stopped (see FIG. 1), due to therotation of the motor 34 shown in FIG. 2, the base 28 rotates around thesupporting shaft 30 as a center ad moves toward the supporting portion44 that faces the opening portion 13. Therefore, since the motor 38 (seeFIG. 64) disposed at the base 28 moves toward the supporting portion 44,both the ring member 40 and the magnet member 41 that are connected tothe motor 38 are connected to the ring member 43 of the turntable 42(see FIG. 6B).

As shown in FIG. 6B, in the state in which the head portion 40A isinserted in the hole 56, the magnet member 41 magnetically attractingthe metal ring member 43 connects the turntable 42 and the ring member40 with each other. In this connected state, the turntable 42 and thering member 40 are “self-held” by the magnet member 41 and the ringmember 43.

At this point, “self-holding” means that the ring member 40 and theturntable 42 for constituting the first drive means are held in thestate of being magnetically kept in close contact with one another.Namely, in accordance with the present embodiment, the surfaces of themagnet member 41 and the ring member 43 are magnetically self-held sothat connection between the turntable 42 and the ring member 40 can becarried out smoothly and reliably, and axial alignment between the motor38 and the turntable 42 can be carried out smoothly and reliably.

In the state in which the turntable 42 is made rotatable, due to adriving of the motor 38, the turntable 42 is rotated. Accordingly, datarecorded in the disk 10 is reproduced by the pickup 36.

As shown in FIG. 2, during a disk-change, the base 28 is rotated in aseparating direction from the supporting portion 44 facing the openingportion 13. Namely, since the motor 38 shown in FIG. 6B moves in aseparating direction from the supporting portion 44, the magnet member41 of the ring member 40 separates from the ring member 43 of theturntable 42, whereby connection of the magnet member 41 and the ringmember 43 is released (see FIG. 6A).

Accordingly, due to a rotation of the spindle 50 shown in FIG. 2, asshown in FIG. 1, the tray 26 is made rotatable to stop at a position atwhich the selected supporting portion 44 faces the opening portion 13.In the stopped state of the tray 26, the disk 10 is attached to theturntable 42. Thereafter, as described above, due to the rotation of themotor 34 shown in FIG. 2, the magnet member 41 and the ring member 43are connected to each other, thus making the turntable 42 rotatable.

In the present embodiment, since the disk 10 (or 11) is rotatably heldat the turntable 42 in advance, the disk 10 does not displace from theturntable 42. Namely, in the disk 10 according to the presentembodiment, use of a conventional chucking becomes unnecessary, wherebymis-chucking does not occur.

In the present embodiment, if the 8 cm-disk 11 as shown in FIG. 14, aso-called deformed disk such as a heart-shaped disk, or a labeled CD-Ris mounted on each of the supporting portions 44, use of a conventionalspecial mechanism (a mechanism having a damper or a concave portion thatcorresponds to a profile of the 8 cm-disk at the mounting portion)becomes unnecessary.

In accordance with the present embodiment, since a mechanism capable ofholding disks such as the ball chuck mechanism is disposed at theturntable 42, use of an eject prevention mechanism for preventingejection of disks from the mounting portion when the stereo apparatusi.e., the disk changer 20 is subjected to a shock and inclined.

In the present embodiment, if the door leaf 14 is clear or semi-clear,the tray 26 becomes visually recognizable, and a rotational state of thetray 26 during the disk change also becomes recognizable. Namely, inaccordance with the present embodiment, rotational operation of the tray26 is unique, looks excellent and has something to satisfy users.

A connection mechanism shown in FIG. 7 is another variant example of theconnection mechanism shown in FIG. 6. Further, in the exampleillustrated in FIG. 7, portions identical to those shown in the exampleof FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, a coilspring 55 for making portions of the balls 54 protrude from theturntable 42 is shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the motor shaft 39 is formed into a cylindricalshape, and has a tapered tip end portion 39A. Further, the ring member40 is positioned at a substantially intermediate portion of the motorshaft 39. The ring-shaped magnet member 41 for constituting theconnecting means is concentrically fixed at the ring member 40 at aportion facing the turntable 42.

A groove 42C is formed along an outer circumferential surface of themounting portion 42A. The through hole 45 is formed at the supportingportion 44 at a portion corresponding to the groove 42C of the mountingportion 42A. The groove 42C of the mounting portion 42A is rotatablyfitted into the through hole 45.

The groove of the turntable 42C is fitted into the through hole 45 ofthe supporting portion 44, and the turntable 42 is rotatably supportedby the supporting portion 44. The metal ring member 43 as the connectingmeans is fixed to the mounting portion 42A of the turntable 42 on thesurface facing the ring member 40.

The hole 56 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is formed on the turntable 42, andthe motor shaft 39 is inserted in this hole 56. As shown in FIG. 7, thehole 56 comprises a complete round guide portion 56A formed at the endportion of hole 56 at the ring member 43 side, and a reference portion56B for constituting first positioning means that is formed incontinuous with the guide portion 56A.

The guide portion 56A has a diameter that is almost twice as large asthat of the motor shaft 39. The reference portion 56B has anintermediate diameter between the motor shaft 39 and the guide portion56A. Further, the guide portion 56 is tapered at the reference portion56B side to guide the motor shaft 39 when the motor shaft 39 is insertedinto the reference portion 56B of the hole 56.

As shown in FIG. 8, a pair of linear reference surfaces 56C is formedinto a V-shaped configuration at portions of the circumferential wall ofthe reference portion 56B. Namely, the reference portion 56B branchesfrom an intersecting point P3 at which the linear reference surfaces 56Cintersect with each other and forms a V-shaped configuration. Thereference portion 56B is in continuous with an arc surface 56C havingthe same center as the guide portion 56B. The angle θ1 of the referencesurfaces 56C is formed to let motor shaft 39 and the reference portion56B have the same shaft center P4 (see FIG. 8B) in the state in whichthe motor shaft 39 contacts with the reference surfaces 56C.

A mounting portion 56E is formed in continuous with the arc surface 56Dat a portion of the turntable 42 so as to face the reference surface56C. A plate spring 57 for constituting the first positioning means isdisposed at the mounting portion 56E. The plate spring 57 has a baseportion 57A that is fixed to an outer surface of the trunk portion 42Bof the turntable 42 via an unillustrated fixing means (for example,vis).

A folded portion 57B which is folded into a substantially V shape isformed at a free end side of the plate spring 57. Further, the platespring 57 is mounted such that the folded portion 57B is positionedwithin the reference portion 56B. And as shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, theplate spring 57 urges the motor shaft 39 toward the reference surface56C in the state in which the motor shaft 39 is inserted into thereference portion 56B, and the folded portion 57B is kept in contactwith the motor shaft 39.

In the state in which the motor shaft 39 is inserted into the hole 56,the magnet member 41 magnetically attracting the metal ring member 43connects the turntable 42 and the motor 38 with each other. Namely, thebase 28 shown in FIG. 2 is rotated toward the frame 22, and the ringmember 40 is separated from and approached to the supporting portion 44,whereby the ring member 40 is separated from the corresponding turntable42 as shown in FIG. 7A, or is connected to the turntable 42 as shown inFIG. 7B.

In this connecting state, by urging the motor shaft 39 to the referencesurface 56C by using the plate spring 57, the motor shaft 39 and theturntable 42 are center-aligned by the outer circumferential surface ofthe motor shaft 39 and the reference surface 56C at the shaft center P4.Further, an axial alignment between the motor 38 and the turntable 42 iscarried out on the basis of a distance between the surfaces of themagnet member 41 and the ring member 43 when they are connected to eachother.

In the example in FIG. 7, the motor 38 disposed at the base 28 rotatesaround the supporting shaft 30 as a center and moves toward thesupporting portion 44 that has stopped at a predetermined position.Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7B, the tip end portion 39A of the motorshaft 39 moves toward the reference portion 56B while being guided bythe guide portion 56A of the turntable 42. Then, when the motor shaft 39abuts the folded portion 57B of the plate spring 57, the plate spring 57urges the motor shaft 39 toward the reference surface 56C.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8B, since the motor shaft 39 isconnected to each of the reference surfaces 56C, in this state, themotor shaft 39 and the reference portion 56B have the same shaft centerP4. Therefore, in accordance with the present embodiment, by urging themotor shaft 39 to the reference surface 56C by using the plate spring57, the motor shaft 39 and the turntable 42 are center-aligned by theouter circumferential surface of the motor shaft 39 and the referencesurface 56C at the shaft center P4. Accordingly, a radial alignment ofthe motor shaft 39 and the turntable 42 can be carried out smoothly andreliably, and a rotational run-out of the turntable during a rotation ofthe motor shaft 39 can be prevented.

When a predetermined length of the motor shaft 39 is inserted into thehole 56, the magnet member 41 is kept into contact with the ring member43, whereby the metal ring member 43 is magnetically attracted to andconnected to the magnet member 41. In this connected state, theturntable 42 and the ring member 40 are self-held by the magnetic member41 and the ring member 43.

Accordingly, in accordance with the present embodiment, a distance L1(see FIG. 7B) between the pickup 36 disposed at the disk drive unit 24and the disk 10 attached to the turntable 42, and the rotational centerof the turntable are always maintained constant. Accordingly, control ofthe focus servo and the tracking servo works efficiently.

In the state in which the turntable 42 is rotatable (i.e., the stateshown in FIG. 7B), when the motor 38 is driven, the turntable 42 is thenrotated. Therefore, data recorded in the disk 10 is reproduced by thepickup 36.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a description will be made of anembodiment in which the first positioning means shown in FIG. 7 (meanscomprising the hole 56, the plate spring 57, and the like) has beenmodified. In the present embodiment, in place of the plate spring 57shown in FIG. 7, an elastic portion 48 is provided at a portion of theturntable 42 made of a synthetic resin. In the present embodiment,portions identical to those in the embodiment of FIG. 7 are denoted bythe same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the elastic portion 48 that is formed by asynthetic resin is formed integrally with the turntable 42 at a portionthat opposes the reference surfaces 56C of the turntable 42, and an arcportion 49 is formed at the elastic portion 48 at the opposite side ofthe reference portion 56B. Further, a planar configuration of thereference portion 56B is made smaller than an arc of the motor shaft 39.Therefore, when the motor shaft 39 is inserted into the referenceportion 56B, the motor shaft 39 is opposed to the elastic portion 48.

The motor 38 shown in FIG. 7 is moved toward the turntable 42, whereby,as shown by an imaginary line of FIG. 9B, the tapered tip end portion39A of the motor shaft 39 is kept in contact with the reference surfaces56C and the elastic portion 48. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the motorshaft 39 is moved to press the elastic portion 48 toward the arc portion49 by the motor shaft 39.

In the present embodiment, the elastic portion 48 is pressed toward thearc potion 49 by the motor shaft 39, and the reference portion 56B isdeformed by the motor shaft 39. Then, in the state in which the motorshaft 39 is inserted into the reference portion 56B, the motor shaft 39is urged toward the reference surfaces 56C by the elastic portion 48.

Accordingly, in accordance with the present embodiment, the motor shaft39 and the turntable 42 are center-aligned by the outer circumferentialsurface of the motor shaft 39 and the reference surface 56C at the shaftcenter P4. Accordingly, a radial alignment of the motor shaft 39 and theturntable 42 can be carried out smoothly and reliably. Further, sinceother arrangement, operation, and effect of the present embodiment arethe same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

With reference to FIG. 11, an embodiment in which a planar configurationof a reference surface for constituting the first positioning meansshown in FIG. 9 is varied will be explained. In the present embodiment,portions identical to those of the embodiment in FIG. 9 are denoted bythe same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 11A, a reference surface 74 in the present embodimentis arc shaped, and is symmetrical with the arc surface of the arcportion 49. Then, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the motor shaft 39 isinserted into the reference portion 56B and urged toward a referencesurface 74 by the elastic portion 48, the motor shaft 39 is kept intocontact with a vertex 74A of the reference surface 74 and a portion ofthe elastic portion 48 corresponding to the vertex 74A.

In the state in which the motor shaft 39 is inserted into the reference56B, the motor shaft 39 is urged toward the vertex 74A of the referencesurface 74 by the elastic portion 48. Accordingly, in accordance withthe present embodiment, since the motor shaft 39 and the turntable 42are center-aligned at the shaft center P4 (see FIG. 11) by the outercircumferential surface of the motor shaft 39 and the reference surface74, the motor shaft 39 and the turntable 42 can be aligned in a radialdirection smoothly and reliably. Further, since other arrangement,operation and effect are the same as those of the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

With reference to FIG. 12, an embodiment in which the plate spring andthe reference surface for constituting a portion of the firstpositioning means shown in FIG. 7 is varied will be explained. In thepresent embodiment, portions identical to those shown in FIG. 6 aredenoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 12A, a plate spring 76 in the present embodiment isfolded at a central portion 76A so as to form a V-shaped configurationand end portions 76B of the plate spring 76 are approached to eachother. A hole 78 of the present embodiment is formed into asubstantially arrow-shaped planar configuration.

Abutting portions 79 are formed into a V-shaped configuration atportions of the hole 78 corresponding to the end portions 76B of theplate spring 76. In the state in which the motor shaft 39 is insertedinto the hole 78, the plate spring 76 and the abutting portion 79 andthe motor shaft 39 and the hole 78 are concentric with each other at theshaft center P4.

The abutting portions 79 are formed respectively at both axial endportions of the hole 78, and an axial movement of the plate spring 76 inthe axial direction of the hole 78 is controlled by a pair of theabutting portions 79. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the motorshaft 39 is inserted into the hole 78, and the plate spring 76 iselastically deformed toward an intersecting point 79A of the abuttingportions 79, the plate spring 76 is folded in conformity with theabutting portions 79.

Therefore, in the state in which the motor shaft 39 is inserted into thehole 78, the plate spring 76 is urged toward a sidewall 78A of the hole78 corresponding to the plate spring 76. Then, the motor 39 is kept incontact with two points of the plate spring 76 and with one point of thesidewall 78A of the hole 78 so that the motor 39 and the hole 78 becomeconcentric with each other at the shaft center P4. Namely, the presentembodiment relates to an example in which positioning of the motor shaft39 with respect to the hole 78 is carried out by the plate spring 76.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the motor shaft 39 and theturntable 42 are center-aligned at the shaft center P4 by the platespring 76 and the sidewall 78A of the hole 78 corresponding to the platespring 76. Accordingly, the motor shaft 39 and the turntable 42 can beradially aligned smoothly and reliably. Further, since otherarrangement, operation, and effect of the present embodiment are thesame as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a detailed descriptionthereof will be omitted.

With reference to FIG. 15, another variant example of the firstembodiment of the present invention will be explained. Further, in thepresent embodiment, portions identical to those of the first embodimentof the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals. Astereo apparatus according to the present embodiment comprises theopening portion 13 and the door leaf 14 at an upper surface of thecabinet 12, and the disk changer 20 corresponding to the door leaf 14.

The door leaf 14 of the present embodiment is structured so as to rotatearound the supporting shaft 59 as a center. Since other arrangement,operation and effect are similar to those shown in FIG. 1, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

With reference to FIG. 16, another variant example of the firstembodiment of the present invention will be explained. The presentembodiment is structured by combining the arrangements of FIG. 1 andFIG. 15. Namely, the opening portion 13 and the door leaf 14 arerespectively disposed both at a front surface and an upper surface ofthe cabinet 12. Further, in the present embodiment, portions identicalto those shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 are denoted by the same referencenumerals.

The disk changer 20 comprises the supporting portions 44 that arerespectively disposed so as to correspond to the door leaves 14. Namely,the present embodiment is structured such that two of the supportingportions 44 are right-angled to each other. Since other arrangements arethe same as those in FIGS. 1 and 5, a detailed description thereof willbe omitted.

In the present embodiment, since the door leaf 14, through which thedisk 10 can be attached to/removed from a turntable, are provided at twopositions. Accordingly, while the disk 10 that is placed on onesupporting portion 44 is reproduced, the disk 10 can beattached/detached with respect to the other supporting portion 44. Sinceother operation and effect are similar to those in the embodiment shownin FIG. 1, a detailed description will be omitted.

With respect to FIG. 17, still another embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained, and portions identical to those shown inFIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a chuckingmechanism of the disk 10 (or 11) is operated by a turntable 60 and adamper 62 clamping the disk 10 (see an imaginary line of FIG. 17A).Namely, the turntable 60 of the present embodiment is not provided witha ball-chuck mechanism. Then, as shown in FIG. 17A, the disk 10 isclamped by the turntable 60 and the damper 62.

In the present embodiment, each of supporting portions 66 of a tray 64has a space that is larger than that of the example shown in FIG. 1.Hook pieces 68 are provided respectively at tip end portions of thesupporting portion 66 so as to correspond to the 12 cm-disk (see FIG.17B). The hook piece 68 is used in order to prevent the disk 10 that issupported by the turntable 60 from falling off from the supportingportion 66 during the rotation of the tray 64. Since the presentembodiment is structured as described above, the turntable 60 and thehook piece 68 are able to hold the disk at the tray 64 even when thedisk is inclined.

The damper 62 is movably disposed at a portion that opposes the openingportion 13. Further, in a disk changer 58, in the state in which theturntable 60 and the ring member 40 are connected to each other (i.e., astate in which the disk is rotatable), as shown in FIG. 17A, the diskfloats from the hook piece 68. Moreover, the hook piece 68 is structuredto support the 8 cm-disk 11 at the turntable 60. Since other arrangementis the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 17, during the rotation of thetray 64, since the hook piece 68 prevents the disk 10 supported by theturntable 60 from falling off from the turntable 60, the disk 10 isclamped by the turntable 60 and the damper 62, and the disk 10 is thenreproduced.

This embodiment is suitable for holding a disk encased in a cartridgesuch as a mini-disk. The cartridge is supported by a holding portionprovided at each of the supporting portions 66, and the disk encased inthe cartridge is held at the turntable, whereby operational effectssimilar to the above-description can be obtained. Since other operationand effect are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, adetailed description will be omitted.

With reference to FIG. 18, a description of another variant example ofthe first embodiment of the present invention will be made. Theembodiment is an example in which the structure of the supportingportion 44 shown in FIG. 17 is varied. In the present embodiment,portions identical to those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 aredenoted by the same reference numerals.

In the present embodiment, a configuration of each of the supportingportions 44 and a relational position between the hook piece 68 and eachsupporting portion 44 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 are varied.Namely, a pair of the hook pieces 68 is provided at one supportingportion 44. Accordingly, the supporting portion 44 is structured suchthat a distance between the through hole 45 (see FIG. 6) and the openingend portion is shorter than a radius of the 12-cm disk 10.

As shown in FIG. 18B, the pair of the hooks 68 are formed respectivelyat corners of the opening end portion of the supporting portion 44.Namely, the present embodiment corresponds to claim 5. Since otherarrangement is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, and adetailed description will be omitted.

In accordance with an embodiment shown in FIG. 18, since a distancebetween the through hole 45 (see FIG. 6) and the opening end portion, ofthe supporting portion 44 is shorter than a radius of the disk 10, it ispossible to make the supporting portion 44 smaller than that of amounting portion of a conventional turntable 492 shown in FIG. 74. Sinceother operation and effect are the same as those of the embodiment shownin FIG. 17, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Second Embodiment

With reference to FIGS. 19 to 49, a disk apparatus according to a secondembodiment of the present invention will be explained hereinafter. Thedisk apparatus according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention is an example of a disk changer built in a component stereoapparatus.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a disk changer disposed in the componentstereo apparatus, FIG. 20 is a side view of the disk changer in thestate in which the tray shown in FIG. 19 is broken, FIG. 21 is anexplanatory view for explaining a driving path of the tray shown in FIG.20, and FIG. 22 is a plan view of the driving path shown in FIG. 21, andFIG. 23 is a bottom view of the tray shown in FIG. 21.

Overall Structure of the Component Stereo Apparatus

A disk changer 120 as shown in FIG. 19 is built in a cabinet 112 (see animaginary line of FIG. 20) of a component stereo apparatus (hereinafter,simply, a “stereo apparatus”). As shown in FIG. 20, a substantiallyrectangular opening portion 113 is formed at a front panel forconstituting a cabinet 112 so as to oppose the disk changer 120.Further, a door leaf 114 is slidably disposed at the stereo apparatus soas to oppose the opening portion 113.

An unillustrated opening/closing button for opening/closing the doorleaf 114 is disposed at the stereo apparatus. Due to an operation of theopening/closing button, the door leaf 114 is slid so that the openingportion 113 is opened/closed. Further, an unillustrated tuner, taperecorder or the like is incorporated in the stereo apparatus.

Overall Structure of the Disk Changer

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the disk changer 120 comprises a disk driveunit 124 serving as a holder that is disposed at a frame 122, and a tray126 for supporting a plurality of the disks 10 (see FIG. 19). In thedisk drive unit 124, a supporting shaft 130 is placed on a base 129,passed through a pair of bearings 132 that are disposed so as toprotrude from the frame 122, and then connected to the frame 122 via thebearings 132.

The disk drive unit 124 (the base 129) rotates (inclined) with respectto the frame 122 around the supporting shaft 130 as a center, and thetray 126 is rotatably supported by a support 123 standing upright fromthe frame 122.

The tray 126 is formed into a substantially triangular pyramidconfiguration whose side surfaces are formed by supporting portions 128.Namely, a plurality of the supporting portions 128 (three in the presentembodiment) are formed integrally with the tray 126. Further, aturntable 180 is rotatably disposed at each of the supporting portions128 so as to hold a disk such as 12 cm-disk 10 (see FIG. 19) or 8cm-disk (not shown).

Each supporting portion 128 is inclined such that a shaft center P6 (seeFIG. 20) around which the tray 126 rotates as a center corresponds to avertex P5 (see FIG. 19). Further, a top portion 126A that is supposed tobe a rotational center of the tray 126 is flat-shaped, whereby the tray126 is formed into a truncated polygonal pyramid configuration.

A shown in FIG. 19, a supporting shaft 123A is mounted to a top centralportion of the tray 126, whereby the tray 126 rotates around the vertexP5 (the shaft center P6 of the supporting shaft 123A) as a center.Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the tray 126 is disposed such that onesupporting portion 128 (i.e., the supporting portion 128 that faces thedisk drive unit 124) corresponds to the opening portion 113, and thedisk 10 can be detached or attached via the opening portion 113.

Unillustrated selection keys that respectively correspond to each of thesupporting portion 128 are disposed at the stereo apparatus. Namely,identifiers (identification numbers) to the respective supportingportions 128 are denoted in advance. Due to an operation of a selectionkey corresponding to each of the identification numbers, the tray 126rotates around the spindle 183 as a center, and the selected supportingportion 128 thereby faces the door leaf 114 (i.e., the opening portion113).

Driving Structure of the Disk Drive Unit 124 and the Tray 126

With reference to FIGS. 20 to 23, a driving structure of the disk driveunit 124 and the tray 126 will be explained hereinafter. As shown inFIGS. 20 and 21, a motor 134 for constituting the second driving meansis provided at the frame 122. A worm gear 136 is fixed to a motor shaft135 of the motor 134. A gear 138 at which a worm gear portion 138A isformed to mesh therewith is rotatably disposed at the frame 122.

The gear 138 has a small gear portion 138B whose diameter is smallerthan that of the worm gear portion 138A. The small gear portion 138B isformed integrally with an upper portion of the worm gear portion 138A. Acam gear 140, at which a lower gear portion 141A is formed to mesh withthe small gear portion 138B, is rotatably disposed at the frame 122. Asshown in FIGS. 24 to 26, the cam gear 140 is formed into a substantiallycylindrical shape, and the lower gear portion 14 1A, an upper gearportion 141B, a cam portion 142, a cam groove 143, and a pair of pins144A and 144B, all of which are formed the cam gear 140.

The lower gear portion 14 1A is formed at the lower portion of the camgear 140. The upper gear portion 141B is formed at the upper portion ofthe cam gear 140. The cam portion 142 is formed at the lower gearportion 141A side. The cam groove 143 is formed between the lower gearportion 141A and the upper gear portion 141B. Pins 144A and 144B areformed at the upper gear portion 141B side. Further, specific structuresof the cam portion 142 and the cam groove 143 will be described later.

A gear 148 is rotatably disposed at a supporting base 146 mounted on thesupport 123. A small gear portion 148A is formed at the gear 148 andmeshes with the upper gear portion 141B. The gear 148 has a large gearportion 148B whose diameter is larger than that of the small gearportion 148A. The large gear portion 148B is formed integrally with anupper portion of the small gear portion 148A. As shown in FIG. 22, adrive gear 150 meshes with the large gear portion 148, and is rotatablydisposed at the supporting base 146.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, an inner tooth 127A is formed at the tray126, and the drive gear 150 meshes therewith. Namely, when the motor 134is driven, the tray 126 passes through a driving path comprising theworm gear 136, the gear 138, the cam gear 140, the gear 148, and thedrive gear 150, and rotates around a supporting shaft 123A as a center.The supporting shaft 123A perpendicularly extends from the support 123.

A gear ratio of the inner gear 127A to the upper gear portion 141B ofthe cam gear 140 is 3 (the inner tooth portion 127A):1 (an upper gearportion 141 B). That is to way, a gear ratio of the inner tooth portion127A between non-tooth portion 127B to the upper gear portion is 1:1.Therefore, the tray 126 rotates one time while the cam gear 140 rotates3 times.

As shown in FIG. 23, a gear portion 127 is formed at the tray 126 so asto correspond to the drive gear 150, and comprises the inner toothportion 127A and the non-tooth portion 127B. The inner tooth portion127A are disposed to form an angle 100° therebetween, and the non-toothportion 127B are disposed to form an angle 20° therebetween. The innertooth portion 127A and the non-tooth portion 127B are disposedalternately. The inner tooth portion 127A and the non-tooth portion 127Bare used in order to rotate the tray 126 to a predetermined position andstop the rotation of the tray 126 at a predetermined position.

As shown in FIGS. 30, 31, and 32, when the drive gear 150 iscorresponded to the inner tooth portion 127A to mesh therewith, the tray126 rotates. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 28, 34 and 35, whenthe drive gear 150 is corresponded to the non-tooth portion 127B(namely, when the drive gear 150 is separated from the inner toothportion 127A), the tray 126 does not rotate.

As shown in FIG. 23, leg portions 126B are provided so as to protrudedownwardly outside the gear portion 127 of the tray 126 and face thepins 144A and 144B of the cam gear 140. The leg portions 126B arerespectively disposed to form an angle of 120° therebetween, and areused as a means to forcibly move the drive gear 150 toward the innertooth portion 127A or the non-tooth portion 127B. In the presentembodiment, during the rotation of the cam gear 140, when the legportions 126B and the pins 144A and 144B are abutted with each other,the drive gear 150 is slightly rotated from the inner tooth portion 127Aor the non-tooth portion 127B.

Detents 154A, 154B, and 154C are respectively formed inside the gearportion 127 of the tray 126 so as to form an angle of 120° therebetweenin order to detect a rotational position of the tray 126. As shown inFIG. 22, a pair of switches 156 and 157 is disposed at the supportingbase 146 so as to correspond to the detents 154A, 154B, and 154C.

Operators 156A and 157A are slidably disposed at the switches 156 and157. When the operator 156A or 157A is pressed, the switch 156 or 157outputs on-signal to an unillustrated microcomputer as control means.

On the other hand, the detent 154A is circumferentially formed such thatboth the operator 156A of the switch 156 and the operator 157A of theswitch 157 face the detent 154A. The detent 154B is circumferentiallyformed such that the operator 156A of the switch 156 solely faces thedetent 154B. The detent 154C is also circumferentially formed such thatthe operator 157A of the switch 157 solely faces the detent 154C.

The unillustrated microcomputer judges a rotational position of the tray126 on the basis of a detected signal (i.e., an on-signal) of theswitches 156 or 157. A stop position sensor such as an unillustratedswitch is disposed at the supporting base 146. The stop position sensordetects that the tray 126 in a stop mode is positioned at apredetermined stop position (i.e., a position at which the turntable 180disposed at the supporting portion 128 faces a spindle 183 of a spindlemotor 182 disposed at the disk drive unit 124). Further, the turntable180 and the spindle 183 constitute the connecting means.

An unillustrated detecting portion is formed at the cam gear 140 at aportion corresponding to the aforementioned stop position sensor. Aposition of the detecting portion is predetermined such that the stopposition sensor is turned on when the tray 126 is positioned at thepredetermined stop position.

In the present invention, a structure for detecting a rotationalposition and a stop position of the tray 126 can arbitrarily be changed.For example, the present invention can be changed in such a manner thata gear ratio of the cam gear 140 to the inner tooth portion 127A of thetray 126 is 1:1, and a positional detection is done only for the camgear 140. In this case, the present invention can be structured suchthat the rotational position and the stop position of the tray 126(i.e., the supporting portion 128) can be detected only by the switches156 and 157.

The driving path of the disk drive unit 124 will be explained next. Thedisk drive unit 124 moves vertically along the cam groove 143 of the camgear 140. Namely, an operation lever 152 as is shown in FIG. 20 and FIG.39 is disposed rotatably at a sidewall 122A (see the imaginary line ofFIG. 39) of the frame 122 between the disk drive unit 124 and the camgear 140.

A pin-receiving portion 152A is formed at a substantially centralportion of the operation lever 152. A pin 122B (see FIG. 20) is providedso as to protrude from the sidewall 122A and is inserted into thepin-receiving portion 152A. Namely, the operation lever 152 rotatesaround the pin 122B as a center. An engaging pin 152B is provided so asto protrude from the operation lever 152 at a proximal end side (at thecam gear 140 side), and is inserted into the cam groove 143 of the camgear 140.

Therefore, when the cam gear 140 rotates the motor 134 and the gear 138for constituting the second driving means and the driving path, sincethe engaging pin 152B moves vertically along a cam configuration of thecam groove 143, the operation lever 152 thereby rotates around the pin122B as a center. Further, as shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 37, the pin 122Bis disposed so as to correspond to a substantially vertical intermediateposition of the cam groove 143 in a vertical direction of the diskchanger 120.

On the other hand, an elongated hole 152C is formed at the operationlever 152 at a tip end side (at the disk drive unit 124 side). Theelongated hole 152C inclines downwardly with respect to a longitudinalaxis of the operation lever 152. An engaging pin 124A is protruded fromthe disk drive unit 124. The engaging pin 124A is inserted into theelongated hole 152C of the operation lever 152, and is connected to thedisk drive unit 124. Accordingly, when the operation lever 152 rotates,the disk drive unit 124 rotates (moves inclined) around the supportingshaft 130 as a center.

The disk drive unit 124 is positioned by a positioning lever(positioning means) 160. The positioning lever 160 operates inaccordance with the cam portion 142 of the cam gear 140. Namely, thepositioning lever 160 as is shown in FIGS. 20 and 39 is rotatablydisposed at the side wall 122A of the frame 122 (see the imaginary lineof FIG. 39).

As shown in FIG. 39, a pair of the positioning levers 160 is formed atwidthwise-directional sides of the frame 122 through a joint lever 161.Namely, the positioning levers 160 are structured to support both sidesof the disk drive unit 124, thus making it possible to reliably supportthe disk drive unit 124.

The pin 162 is disposed at the front of the positioning lever 160 so asto protrude inwardly. The pin 162 is inserted into the pin-receivingportion 122C formed at the frame 122. Namely, the positioning lever 160rotates around the pin 162 as a center. An engaging pin 163 is providedso as to protrude from the positioning lever 160 at a proximal end side(at the cam gear 140 side). The engaging pin 163 is disposed so as toabut the cam portion 142 of the cam gear 140.

As shown in FIG. 20, a helical coil spring 166 is disposed at the frame122, and urges the engaging pin 163 upwardly (toward the cam portion142) all the time. Therefore, when the cam gear 140 rotates through themotor 134 and the gear 138 for constituting the second driving means andthe driving path, the engaging pin 163 moves vertically in accordancewith the cam configuration of the cam portion 142. Accordingly, thepositioning lever 160 rotates around the pin 162 as a center.

On the other hand, a pin-receiving portion 164 caves in the positioninglever 160 at the tip end side (at the side of the disk drive unit 124).A positioning pin 124B is provided so as to protrude from a side surfaceof the disk drive unit 124, and inserted into the pin-receiving portion164 (see FIG. 37). Namely, when the positioning lever 160 at a positionshown in FIG. 20 rotates around the pin 162 as a center, as shown inFIG. 37, the pin-receiving portion 164 is corresponded to the pin 124Bof the disk drive unit 124 moving upwardly, and is inserted by the pin124B.

In the present embodiment, the disk drive unit 124 is reliablypositioned by the pin 124B being inserted into the pin-receiving portion164 of the positioning lever 160. Namely, in the present embodiment, ina connection-complete state in which connection of the spindle 183 ofthe spindle motor 182 and the turntable 180 has been completed (thestate as shown in FIG. 37), the disk drive unit 124 is positioned by thepositioning lever 160 in the connection-complete state.

In accordance with the present embodiment, in the connection-completestate, since the positioning lever 160 positions the disk drive unit 124in the connection complete state, when the disk 10 shown in FIG. 19 isattached or detached with respect to the turntable 180, if an unexpectedload is applied to the tray 126, the tray 126 can reliably be supported.Namely, in accordance with the present embodiment, the tray 126 in theconnection-complete state is reliably supported by the positioning lever160, whereby workability of attaching/detaching the disk 10 with respectto the turntable 180 can be improved.

Next, with reference to FIG. 27, a description of the cam configurationof the cam groove 143 will be made. It is assumed that a start point ofthe cam gear 140 is 0°, and a finish point of the cam gear 140 for whichrotation around the outer circumferential surface of the cam gear 140has been finished is 360°. Namely, when a disk change operation begins,the cam gear 140 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction from thestart point to the finish point.

In the cam configuration of the cam groove 143, when the cam groove 143is positioned over the cam gear 140, the disk drive unit 124 movesdownwardly via the operation lever 152. Meanwhile, when the cam groove143 is positioned beneath the cam gear 140, the disk drive unit 124moves upwardly via the operation lever 152.

As shown in FIG. 27, the cam groove 143 comprises a first cam portion143A, a second cam portion 143B, a third cam portion 143C, and a fourthcam portion 143D. The first cam portion 143A has a cam region (within anangle range of 75°) K1 between 0° and 10° and between 295° and 360°, thesecond cam portion 143B is a cam region (within an angle range of 70°)K2 between 10° and 80°, the third cam portion 143C is a cam region(within an angle range of 145°) K3 between 80° and 225°, and the fourthcam portion 143D is a cam region (within an angle range of 70°) K4between 225° and 295°.

In the cam region K3, the disk drive unit 124 is moved downwardly viathe operation lever 152 (waiting mode), and enters a rotational mode forrotating the tray 126 (disk change mode). On the other hand, the camregion K5 comprising all of the cam regions K1, K2, and K4 stops arotation of the tray 126 and enters a vertically moving mode forvertically moving the disk drive unit 124 (chucking mode).

In the first cam portion 143A, since the engaging pin 152B is moveddownwardly (see FIG. 37), as shown in FIG. 37, the operation lever 152rotates in a counterclockwise direction (in a direction of arrow of FIG.37). On the other hand, in the third cam portion 143C, since theengaging pin 152B (see FIG. 20) is moved upwardly, as shown in FIG. 20,the operation lever 152 rotates in a clockwise direction (in a directionof arrow of FIG. 20).

The second cam portion 143B inclines upwardly from the first cam portion143A to the third cam portion 143C. The fourth cam portion 143D inclinesdownwardly from the third cam portion 143C to the first cam portion143A. Namely, the second cam portion 143B and the fourth cam portion143D moves the engaging pin 152B to the first cam portion 143A and thethird cam portion 143C, respectively.

The cam portion 142 comprises a first cam surface 142A including a camregion K6 (within an angle range of 75°) between 0° and 10° and between295° and 360°, and a second cam surface 142B including a cam region K7between 10° and 295° (within an angle range of 285°). Further, a linearportion of the first cam surface 142A is between 320° and 345°.Moreover, the aforementioned linear portion of the first cam surface142A inclines upward at the front portion and inclines downward at therear portion.

Since the engaging pin 163 moves upwardly on the cam surface 142B (seeFIG. 37), as shown in FIG. 37, the positioning lever 160 moves in aclockwise direction (in the direction of arrow of FIG. 37). On the otherhand, the engaging pin 163 moves downwardly on the first cam surface142A (see FIG. 20), as shown in FIG. 20, the positioning lever 160rotates in a counterclockwise direction (in a direction of arrow of FIG.20).

In the stop or play mode of the disk changer 120, the operation lever152 and the positioning lever 160 are positioned as shown in FIG. 37.Namely, the cam portion 142 and the cam groove 143 of the cam gear 140shown in FIG. 27 are positioned so as to correspond to the engaging pins152B and 163 at an angle of 330° (hereinafter referred to as “ST” inFIG. 27).

When the cam gear 140 corresponds to an “ST” position, the disk change120 is in a stop mode in which the disk changer 120 is disposed at theinitial position, and the spindle 183 of the disk drive unit 124 isconnected to the turntable 180 of the supporting portion 128.

Accordingly, in the stop or play mode shown in FIG. 37, the engaging pin152B of the operation lever 152 is positioned at the cam region K1 sothat the disk drive unit 124 is lifted, and the spindle 183 of thespindle motor 182 is connected to the turntable 180. Further, in thestop or play mode, the engaging pin 163 of the positioning lever 160 ispositioned in the cam region K6, and the pin-receiving portion 164 ofthe positioning lever 160 supports the positioning pin 124B of the diskdrive unit 124.

The disk drive unit 124 is reliably supported by the positioning lever160, and is held in the stop or play mode. Further, in the stop mode,each of the components for forming the disk changer 120 enters theirinitial state (a state in which the cam gear 140 corresponds to the “ST”position). Namely, if an unillustrated stop key is operated by a user inthe play mode, when a stop position sensor (not shown) is turned on byan unillustrated detection portion of the cam gear 140, each of thecomponents of the disk changer 120 stops in its initial state by theunillustrated microcomputer.

A description of the state of the disk changer 120 corresponding to thecam portion 142 (the cam surfaces 142A and 142B) and the cam groove 143(cam portions 143A to 143D) of the cam gear 140 will be madehereinafter. Further, reference numerals (shown in FIGS. 28 to 35) aredenoted so as to correspond to scales (angle 0° to 360°) in FIG. 27 andillustrate the states of the driving path (comprising the cam gear 140,the gear 148, the drive gear 150, and the gear portion 127 of the tray126) corresponding to each of the cam portions 142 and the cam groove143.

Operational State of the Operation Levers 152 and 160 Corresponding tothe Cam Gear 140

When the engaging pin 163 moves from the ST position of the cam gear 140to a position of the cam region K7, the positioning lever 160 rotates ina counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 20, and the pin-receivingportion 164 is separated from the positioning pin 124B. Namely, thepositioning lever 160 releases a support (lock) of the disk drive unit124 in accordance with the cam region K7.

When the engaging pin 152B moves along the cam region K2 of the cam gear140, the engaging pin 152B moves upward, and the operation lever 152thereby moves in a clockwise direction. Therefore, the disk drive unit124 rotates in a counterclockwise direction around the supporting shaft130 as a center, and accordingly, gradually moves downwardly.

The engaging pin 152B is positioned in the cam region K3 of the cam gear140, as shown in FIG. 20, the spindle 183 is separated from theturntable 180 of the supporting portion 128. Namely, the disk drive unit124 is transferred to a disk change mode, and the tray 126 becomesrotatable.

When the cam gear 140 further rotates, and moves along the cam regionK4, the engaging pin 152B moves downwardly, and the operation lever 152rotates in a counterclockwise direction. Therefore, the disk drive unit124 rotates in a clockwise direction around the supporting shaft 130,and accordingly, gradually moves upwardly.

When the engaging pin 152B is positioned at the cam region K1 of the camgear 140, as shown in FIG. 37, the spindle 183 is connected to theturntable 180 of the supporting portion 128. Namely, the disk drive unit124 is transferred to a disk change mode, and the tray 126 becomesrotatable.

Operational State of the Driving Path Corresponding to the Cam Gear 140

Next, with reference to FIGS. 28 to 35, a description will be made ofstates of the drive path (comprising the cam gear 140, the gear 148, thedrive gear 150, and the gear portion 127 of the tray 126) correspondingto the cam portions 142 and the cam groove 143. More specifically, FIG.28 shows a state of the scale of the cam groove 143 at an angle of 70°in FIG. 27. FIG. 29 shows a state of the scale of the cam groove 143 atan angle of 80° in FIG. 27. FIG. 30 shows a state of the scale of thecam groove 143 at an angle of 90° in FIG. 27. And FIG. 31 shows a stateof the scale of the cam groove 143 at an angle of 110° in FIG. 27.

Further, FIG. 32 shows a state of the scale of the cam groove 143 at anangle of 220° in FIG. 27. FIG. 33 shows the scale of the cam groove 143at an angle of 230° in FIG. 27. FIG. 34 shows the scale of the camgroove 143 at an angle of 240° in FIG. 27. And FIG. 35 shows the scaleof the cam groove 143 at an angle of 260° in FIG. 27.

In the state shown in FIG. 28, the drive gear 150 corresponds to thenon-tooth portion 127B of the tray 126 in the state in which therotation of the tray 126 stops, and the pin 144A of the cam gear 140faces one of the leg portions 126B of the tray 126 and abuts therewith.Further, due to the rotation of the cam gear 140, as shown in FIG. 29,the pin 144A presses the leg portion 126B and urges the tray 126 in acounter clockwise direction. Therefore, in FIG. 29, the drive gear 150meshes with the inner tooth portion 127A of the gray 126.

As shown in FIG. 30, the drive gear 150 meshes with the inner toothportion 127A of the tray 126 to drive and rotate the tray 126 in acounterclockwise direction. Therefore, in FIG. 30, the leg portion 126Bis separated from the pin 144A. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 31, due tothe drive gear 150 and the inner tooth portion 127A of the tray 126meshing with each other, the tray 126 further rotates in acounterclockwise direction.

In the state of the scale of the cam groove 143 at an angle of 220° inFIG. 27 (i.e., the state just before the end of a movement along the camregion K3), as shown in FIG. 32, the leg portion 126B of the tray 126moves from a counterclockwise direction, and faces the pin 144B of thecam gear 140. Further, in FIG. 32, the drive gear 150 moves from theinner tooth portion 127A of the tray 126 to the non-tooth portion 127B.

Due to a further rotation of the cam gear 140, as shown in FIG. 33, theleg portion 126B of the tray 126 comes close to the pin 144B of the camgear 140, and the drive gear 150 corresponds to the non-tooth portion127B of the tray 126. In FIG. 33, there is a difference betweenrotational speeds of the tray 26 and the cam gear 140. The rotationalspeed of the tray 140 is higher than that of the cam gear 140.Therefore, when the leg portion 126B abuts the pin 144B, a resistance isapplied to the tray 126 (the rotation of the tray 126 is suppressed) tostop and position the tray 126.

In FIG. 34, as described above, since the rotation of the tray 126 isforcibly stopped, the drive gear 150 faces the non-tooth portion 127B ofthe tray 126, and does not mesh with the inner tooth portion 127A. Asshown in FIG. 34, since the cam gear 140 rotates in a counterclockwisedirection, the pin 144B is separated from the leg portion 126B. Further,as shown in FIG. 35, due to the rotation of the cam gear 140, the pin144B is further separated from the leg portion 126B.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the motor 134 as a singlesecond driving means rotates the tray 126, and moves (inclined) the diskdrive unit 124 as a holder via a common driving path (comprising themotor shaft 135, the worm gear 136, the gear 138, and the cam gear 140).Namely, in accordance with the present embodiment, rotation of the tray126 and inclined movement of the disk drive unit 124 are respectivelycarried out by the motor 134, the motor shaft 135, the worm gear 136,the gear 138, and the cam gear 140 in a common driving path, a number ofparts can be reduced as compared to a conventional disk changer, and thedisk changer can be structured simply and manufactured inexpensively.

Positioning Structure of the Tray 126 and the Disk Drive Unit 124

First, a structure of a stopper lever 170 will be explained. As shown inFIG. 20 and FIG. 3, the stopper lever 170 is formed into a substantiallyinverted V-shaped configuration, and is rotatably disposed at thesupporting base 146. Namely, pins 170A are provided so as to extend fromwidthwise ends of the stopper lever 170 at the center thereof. On theother hand, bearing portions 147A are formed at the supporting base 146so as to correspond to the pins 170A. The bearing portions 147 supportthe pins 170A, and the stopper lever 170 thereby rotates around the pins170A as a center.

As shown in FIG. 22, a substantially V-shaped engaging portion 171A isformed at the proximal end (upper end) of the stopper lever 170. Asshown in FIG. 36, the engaging portion 171A is disposed so as to abut anouter circumferential surface 168A of a ring body 168 of the tray 126.As shown in FIG. 23, the ring body 168 is positioned inside the gearportion 127, and concave portions 169 are formed at the ring body 168 soas to correspond to the non-tooth portion of the gear portion 127.

The concave portions 169 are respectively disposed within an angle rangeof 120°. As shown in FIG. 28 and FIG. 37, the engaging portion 171A isfitted into each of the concave portions 169. Further, as shown in FIG.23, taper portions 169B are formed at circumferential end portions ofthe concave portions 169. The taper portions 169B facilitate theengaging portion 171A to move into the concave portions 169.

As shown in FIG. 22, a hook portion 170B is disposed between the pins170A and the engaging portion 171 of the stopper lever 170. Then, oneend of the coil spring 172 is hooked at the hook portion 170B of thestopper lever 170, and the other is hooked at a hook portion 147B on thesupporting base 146.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, due to the urging force of the coilspring 172, the stopper lever 170 is always urged in a counterclockwisedirection. Namely, the coil spring 172 is used in order to always urgethe engaging portion 171A of the stopper lever 170 to the outercircumferential surface 168A f the ring body 168 of the tray 126 andabut the engaging portion 171A of the stopper lever 170 therewith.

As shown in FIG. 38, a substantially C-shaped tongue portion B as seenfrom a side view is formed at the tip end side (lower end side) of thestopper lever 170. On the other hand, a substantially U-shaped anchorportion 124C as a planar configuration is formed at the rear surface ofthe disk drive unit 124 so as to correspond to the tongue portion 171B.

As shown in FIG. 37, both in the state in which the engaging portion171A of the stopper lever 170 is fitted into the concave portion 169 ofthe tray 126, and the stopper lever 170 is rotated in a counterclockwisedirection and the state in which the disk drive unit 124 moves upwardly,and the spindle 183 of the spindle motor 182 is connected to theturntable 180 (the state shown in FIG. 37), the tongue portion 171B isinserted into the anchor portion 124C so that the disk drive unit 124 ispositioned by the stopper lever 170.

The tray 126 that moves in accordance with the cam gear 140, the diskdrive unit 124, and the like are structured such that the tip end of thetongue portion 171B faces the anchor portion 124C just before thestopper lever 170 rotates in a counterclockwise direction and the diskdrive unit 124 moves upwardly.

Next, a structure of an engaging pin 125A will be explained. As shown inFIG. 38, a substantially cylindrical engaging pin 125A is disposed at anupper surface of a side plate of the disk drive unit 124. As shown inFIG. 20, a stopper portion 174 is formed at the tray 126 so as tocorrespond to the engaging pin 125A. Further, as shown by an imaginaryline in FIG. 28, the stopper portion 174 is formed to cave in an outerperipheral end portion of the tray 126.

When the support portion 128 of the tray 126 stops at a predeterminedposition corresponding to the opening portion 113 of the cabinet 112,due to a rotation of the disk drive unit 124 around the support shaft130 as a center, the engaging pin 125A is fitted into the stopperportion 174, and the disk drive unit 124 positions the tray 126, andthereby prevents the tray 126 from rotating.

In the present embodiment, in the play mode or the stop mode in whichthe spindle 183 of the spindle motor 182 is connected to the turntable180, since the stopper lever 170 and the engaging pin 125A arestructured as described above, the disk drive unit 124 and the supportportion 128 of the tray 126 can reliably be positioned.

Detection Structure of a Disk Attachment

As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 48, the turntable 180 is rotatably disposedat each of the supporting portions 128 of the tray 126. The turntable180 comprises a mounting portion 180A for mounting a disk such as a 12cm-disk 10 or an 8 cm-disk (not shown) thereon, and a trunk portion 180Bwhose outer diameter is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of ahole of the disk 10.

The turntable 180 is provided with a chucking mechanism as a holdingmeans for rotatably holding the disk 10 at the trunk portion 180B. Asshown in FIG. 48, the chucking mechanism comprises a plurality ofengaging pawls 190 (for example, three) as components of the chuckingmechanism, and unillustrated springs for always urging the engagingpawls outside the trunk portion 180B. The engaging pawls 190 arerotatably disposed at the trunk portion 180B within an angle range of120°. The engaging pawls 190 are respectively provided for the turntable14 each of which is disposed at each supporting portion 128.

When each of the engaging pawls 190 is pressed by the inner diametricalportion of the disk 10, the disk 10 passes through the engaging pawl190, and is mounted on the mounting portion 180A. On the other hand,when the disk 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 180A, as shown inFIG. 48, the engaging pawl 190 is pressed out by the urging force of theunillustrated spring. Namely, since the engaging pawl 190 abuts the disk10 and presses the disk 10 toward the mounting portion 180A, the disk 10is reliably held at the turntable 180.

An ejection button 192 is slidably disposed at an upper portion of thetrunk portion 180B of the turntable 14. When the ejection button 192 isoperated, the engaging pawl 190 is moved into the trunk portion 180B,and the disk 10 can be easily ejected from the turntable 14.

Among the plurality of the engaging pawls 190 with respect to the trunkportion 180B, at least one engaging pawl 190 is different from the otherengaging pawls 190 in a height from a mounting portion 180A to each ofthe engaging pawls 190 at a side portion 190A (a portion protrudingoutwardly from the trunk portion 10B). In other words, the presentembodiment is structured such that at least one engaging pawl 190 has adifferent height at its side portion 190A from a mounting portion 180A.For this reason, as shown in FIG. 49, when the disk 10 is positioned atthe side portion 190A of each engaging pawl 190, the disk 10 inclineswith respect to a mounting surface 180D of the mounting portion 180A ofthe turntable 180.

As shown in FIG. 47, a pair of infrared LEDs 194 as light-emittingmeans, reflectors 196, and phototransistors 198 as light-receivingmeans, and forms detecting means are disposed at the dick changer 120and form detecting means. The detecting means detects information andthe detected information is transferred to an unillustratedmicrocomputer. Then, on the basis of the information detected by thedetecting means, the microcomputer (not shown) determines whether or notthe disk 10 is appropriately attached to the turntable 180.

The infrared LEDs 194 and the phototransistors 198 are connected to themicrocomputer. Then, the disk changer 120 is structured such that theinfrared LEDs 194 emit light in response to operational signals from themicrocomputer. The phototransistors 198 receive light from thereflectors 196 and transmit the detected signals to the microcomputer.

The pair of infrared LEDs 194, the reflectors 196, and thephototransistors 198 are located as shown by one dotted line in FIG. 47so as to prevent infrared rays from the infrared LEDs 194 or reflectedlight from the reflectors 196 from interfering with the turntable 180.Further, in order to incline the disk 10 in various directions, theinfrared LED 194, the reflector 196, and the phototransistor 198 areprovided in pairs, whereby a detection range of the detection means canbe expanded.

As shown in FIG. 48, when the disk 10 is appropriately mounted on theturntable 180, that is to say, when the disk 10 is mounted in parallelto the mounting surface 180D, infrared rays from the infrared LEDs 194and reflected light from the reflectors 196 are not blocked by the disk10, and these light can be transmitted to the phototransistor 198. Themicrocomputer determines that the disk 10 is appropriately mounted onthe turntable 180.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 49, if the disk 10 is notappropriately mounted on the turntable 180, i.e., if the disk 10 ispositioned at the side portion 190A of each engaging pawl 190, infraredrays from the infrared LEDs 194 and reflected light from the reflectors196 are blocked by the disk 10, and the reflected light is nottransmitted to the phototransistors 198. Namely, the microcomputerdetermines that the disk 10 is not appropriately mounted on theturntable 180 because the disk 10 inclines with respect to the mountingsurface 180D.

If the microcomputer determines that the disk 10 is not appropriatelyattached to the turntable 180, neither rotation of the turntable 180 inthe play mode nor rotation of the tray 126 in the disk change mode arepermitted. The inappropriate attachment of the disk 10 to the turntable180 is displayed or warned by unillustrated displaying means (such as adisplay) or warning means (such as a speaker voice).

Structure of the Chucking Mechanism of the Turntable 180

As shown in FIG. 38, a pickup apparatus 176 is mounted on the disk driveunit 124 as information processing means. A pickup 178 having anobjective lens 179 is slidably disposed at the pickup apparatus 176. Thespindle motor 182 (see FIG. 48) for rotating and driving the turntable180 disposed at the tray 126 is also disposed at the pickup apparatus176.

A ring member 184 for constituting the connecting means is fixed to thespindle 183 of the spindle motor 182 shown in FIG. 48. The ring member184 is connected to or separated from the turntable 180 of the tray 126that is positioned at a predetermined position (see FIG. 20 and FIG.37).

As shown in FIG. 40, a ring shaped magnet member 185 for constitutingthe connecting means is concentrically fixed to the ring member 184 soas to oppose the turntable 180. Further, as shown in FIG. 42A, aninsertion portion 184A is formed at the ring member 184, and has atapered tip end portion.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 40, the turntable 180 made of a synthetic resinis disposed at each of the supporting portions 128 so as to correspondto the spindle 183 in the disk drive unit 124. Namely, the tray 126 andthe disk drive unit 124 that move in accordance with the cam gear 140are structured such that the turntable 180 of each supporting portion128 and the spindle 183 are connected to each other when the tray 126stops at a predetermined position.

As shown in FIG. 40, a groove 180C is formed along an outercircumferential surface of the turntable 180. A through hole 128A isformed at a portion of the supporting portion 128 corresponding to thegroove 180C of the turntable 180, and the groove 180C is fitted into thethrough hole 128A.

The groove 180C of the turntable 180 is fitted into the through hole128A of the supporting portion 128, whereby the turntable 180 isrotatably supported by the supporting portion 128. A connecting portion180E is formed at the turntable 180 at a surface side of the mountingportion 180A so as to correspond to the ring member 184. The connectingportion 180E has a diameter that is larger than that of the through hole128A. Further, a metal ring member 181 as the connecting means is fixedto the connecting portion 180E at a portion corresponding to the magnetmember 185.

A hole 186 as is shown in FIG. 42A is formed at the turntable 180, andthe spindle 183 is inserted into the hole 186. As shown in FIG. 42A, thehole 186 comprises a hole portion 186A whose diameter is slightly largerthan that of the insertion portion 184A, a hole portion 186B whosediameter is slightly larger than that of the spindle 183, and a taperportion 186C whish communicates the hole portions 186A and 186B so as tobe in continuous with each other.

The taper portion 186C guides the tip end of the spindle 183 insertedinto the hole 186. Further, an unillustrated plate spring is formed atthe turntable 180 at a portion corresponding to the hole portion 186B. Asubstantially V-shaped curve portion (not shown) is formed at the platespring. Then, the plate spring urges the spindle 183 toward acircumferential wall of the hole portion 186B in the state in which thespindle 183 is inserted into the hole portion 186B, and theunillustrated curve portion is kept in contact with the spindle 183.

As shown in FIG. 40 and FIG. 42A, in the state in which the spindle 183is inserted into the hole 186, the magnet member 185 magneticallyattracting the metal ring member 181 connects the turntable 180 and thespindle motor 182 with each other. Namely, when the disk drive unit 124shown in FIG. 45 rotates around the support shaft 130 as a center in acounterclockwise direction (in a direction of arrow in FIG. 45), thering member 184 is separated from the turntable 180 (see FIG. 40). Onthe other hand, when the disk drive unit 124 shown in FIG. 40 rotatesaround the support shaft 130 as a center in a clockwise direction (in adirection of arrow in FIG. 40), the ring member 184 is connected to theturntable 180 (see FIG. 45).

In this connection state, the unillustrated spindle 183 urges thespindle 183 toward the circumferential wall of the hole portion 186B.Accordingly, the spindle 183 and the turntable 180 are aligned at theaxis center P7 by the outer circumferential surface of the spindle 183and the circumferential wall of the hole portion 186B. Further, thespindle motor 182 and the turntable 180 are axially aligned with eachother due to a connection between the surfaces of the magnet member 185and the ring member 181.

On the other hand, in the state in which the ring member 184 isseparated from the turntable 180 (in the state shown in FIG. 20), due tothe rotation of the tray 126 around the supporting shaft 123A as acenter, a desired support portion 128 is stopped so as to correspond tothe door leaf 114 (see FIG. 20). Further, in the disk changer 120, inthe state in which the tray 126 is stopped as shown in FIG. 37, themagnet member 185 is connected to the ring member 181, whereby theturntable 180 becomes rotatable (see FIG. 44).

In the state in which the turntable 180 is able to rotate, as shown inFIG. 44, the ring member 184 of the spindle motor 182 allows theturntable 180 to float on the supporting portion 128 by. Namely, in theaforementioned rotatable state of the turntable 180, the turntable 180and the supporting portion 128 are prevented from contacting with eachother in order not to damage the rotation of the turntable 180.

In the state in which the turntable 180 is able to rotate, the spindlemotor 182 allows the turntable 180 to rotate, and a reproducingprocessing of data recorded in the disk 10 (see FIG. 19) is carried outby the pickup 178 shown in FIG. 38 carries out

Locking Structure of the Turntable 180 for the Supporting Portion 128

With reference to FIGS. 40 to 46, a description of a structure oflocking means of the turntable 180 for the supporting portion 128 willbe made. Clamp members 200 for constituting the locking means aredisposed at a rear side of the supporting portion 128 so as tocorrespond to the grooves 180C of the turntable 180. Each of the clampmembers 200 is a substantially plat-shaped configuration. As shown inFIG. 41, the clamp member 200 comprises a pair of clamping portions 202for rotating around a support point 201 as a center. Further, thesupport point 201 is fixed to the supporting portion 128.

A coil spring 206 is interposed between the pair of the clampingportions 202 and urges the pair of the clamping portions 202 always in adirection in which the clamping portions 202 are clamped (i.e., adirection in which each of the clamping portions 22 moves along thegroove 180C of the turntable 180). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 41, thecoil spring 206 urges abutting portions 203 of the clamping portions 202to clamp the groove 180C of the turntable 180, and then abut acircumferential wall of the groove 180C.

Namely, in an unconnected state in which the magnet member 185 of thering member 184 for constituting the connecting means is not yetconnected to the ring member 181 of the turntable 180, the turntable 180is mounted on the supporting portion 128 by its own weight (see FIGS. 40and 42). Then, as shown in FIG. 42A, the turntables 180, the supportingportions 128, and the clamping portions 202 are structured such that theabutting portions 203 can be fitted into the groove 180C of theturntable 180 in the unconnected mode.

An engaging portion 204 is formed at each of the clamp portions 202 toopen the clamp portions 202. The engaging portion 204 is positioned ateach clamping portion 202 at the side of the support point 201, and anangle between the abutting portions 203 becomes larger. On the otherhand, an engaging pin 125B is disposed at the disk drive unit 124 so asto correspond to the engaging portion 204. Further, a tapered taperportion 125C is formed at the tip end portion of the engaging pin 125B.

As shown in FIG. 20, when the disk drive unit 124 rotates in a clockwisedirection around the supporting shaft 130 as a center (see the arrow inFIG. 20), as shown in FIG. 40, a tip end portion of the spindle 183 isinserted into the hole portion 186A of the turntable 180. Further, whenthe disk drive unit 124 rotates, as shown in FIG. 42A, the tip endportion of the spindle 183 is slightly inserted into the hole portion186B, and as shown in FIG. 42B, the taper portion 125C of the engagingpin 125B is slightly inserted into the engaging portions 204 of theclamp portions 202.

Since the taper portion 125C of the engaging pin 125B is slightlyinserted into the engaging portions 204, the clamp portions 202 areslightly open to resist the urging force from the coil spring 206 (seeFIG. 41). For this reason, as shown by the imaginary lines of FIG. 42A,the clamp portions 202 is slightly separated from a state in which theabutting portions 203 of the clamp portions 202 abut the circumferentialwall of the groove 180C.

A timing at which the clamp portions 202 are open (the abutting portions203 are separated from each other) is one at which the engaging pin 125Bis inserted into the engaging portions 203. Accordingly, control of thetiming depends on a length (height) of the engaging pin 125B. Further,in the state shown in 42, a curve portion of an unillustrated platespring does not abut the spindle 183.

When the disk drive unit 124 further rotates, as shown in FIG. 43A, thetip end portion of the spindle 183 is further inserted into the holeportion 186B, and as shown in FIG. 43B, the engaging pin 125B isinserted into the engaging portions 204 of the clamp portions 202 overthe entire diameter of the engaging pin 125B. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 43A, the abutting portions 203 separate from one another toportions in vicinities of the outer circumferential surface of the ringmember 181 of the turntable 180.

As shown in FIG. 43, the unillustrated spindle abuts the spindle 183.Namely, the abutting portions 203 of the clamp members 200 position theturntable 180 with respect to the supporting portion 128 until the curveportion (not shown) of the plate spring abuts the spindle 183 andpositions the spindle 183.

When the disk drive unit 124 rotates, as shown in FIG. 44A, insertion ofthe spindle 183 into the hole portion 186B is completed, and as shown inFIG. 44B, insertion of the engaging pin 125B into the insertion portions204 is completed. Namely, as shown in FIGS. 44A and 46, the abuttingportions 203 are separated from the ring member 181 of the turntable180.

The state shown in FIGS. 44 and 45 enters a connection mode in which themagnet member 185 of the ring member 184 for constituting the connectingmeans, and the ring member 181 of the turntable 180 are connected toeach other. Accordingly, the turntable 180 is released from locking thesupporting portion 128. Further, in the aforementioned connection mode,the turntable 180 is lifted by the ring member 184 of the spindle motor182 and floated from the supporting portion 128, whereby the turntable180 becomes rotatable. Meanwhile, during a mode change from theabove-described connection mode to the unconnected mode in which themagnet member 185 is not connected to the ring member 181, an inversemovement is taken to the aforementioned movement in which the turntable180 is positioned at the supporting portion 128 by the clamping portions200.

Accordingly, in accordance with the present embodiment, in theaforementioned unconnected mode, since the clamp members 200 positionthe turntable 180 at a predetermined position, even if the turntable 180and the spindle 183 are not connected to each other, for example, duringa disk change time when the tray 126 is rotating, or during carrying ofa disk apparatus, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a rattleor a rattling noise due to a play between the turntable 180 and thesupporting portion 128.

Operation of the Second Embodiment of the Present Invention

An operation of the present embodiment will be explained hereinafter.First, as shown in FIG. 37, in the stop mode, the disk drive unit 124moves upwardly, and the spindle 183 of the spindle motor 182 isconnected to the turntable 180. Further, the positioning pin 124B of thedisk drive unit 124 is supported by the pin-receiving portion 164 of thepositioning lever 160, whereby the disk drive unit 124 is reliablysupported by the positioning lever 160.

In the stop mode, in order to mount the disk 10 on the turntable 180 ofthe supporting portion 128, due to an operation of the unillustratedbutton, the door leaf 114 is slid to open the opening portion 113. Thesupporting portion 128 is stopped so as to correspond to the openedopening portion 113, and the disk 10 is then mounted to the turntable180 of the supporting portion 128.

In the present embodiment, in the stop mode i.e., in the state in whichconnection between the spindle 183 of the spindle motor 182 and theturntable 180 has been completed (in a connection-complete state), thepositioning lever 160 positions the disk drive unit 124. Accordingly,during attachment/detachment of the disk 10 with respect to theturntable 180, even when an unexpected load is applied to the tray 126,the tray 126 is reliably supported. Consequently, in accordance with thepresent embodiment, since the tray 126 is reliably supported by thepositioning lever 160 in the connection-complete state, workability inattaching/detaching the disk 10 with respect to the turntable 180 canimprove.

When the disk 10 is attached to the turntable 180, as shown in FIGS. 47to 49, the unillustrated microcomputer determines whether or not thedisk 10 is appropriately mounted on the turntable 180 on the basis ofinfrared rays of the infrared LEDs 194 and reflected light from thereflectors 196.

As shown in FIG. 49, for example, when the disk 10 is positioned at theside portion 190A of each of the engaging pawls 190, both infrared raysof the infrared LEDs 194 and reflected light from the reflectors 196 areblocked by the disk 10, and are not appropriately transmitted to thephototransistors 198. Accordingly, the microcomputer determines that thedisk 10 is not appropriately mounted on the turntable 180.

If the microcomputer determines that the disk is not appropriatelymounted to the turntable 180, rotation of the turntable 180 in the playmode or that of the tray 126 in the disk change mode later described issuppressed. Accordingly, it is displayed or warned by the unillustrateddisplaying means or warning means that the disk 10 is not appropriatelymounted to the turntable 180.

In accordance with the present embodiment, since the infrared LEDs 194,the reflectors 196, and the phototransistors 198 as the detecting meansdetect that the disk 10 is not appropriately attached to the turntable180, rotation of the turntable 180 in the play mode or that of the tray126 in the disk change mode later described can be inhibited.Accordingly, in accordance with the present embodiment, during therotation of the tray 126 or the like, the disk 10 is prevented fromejecting from the turntable 180 by the centrifugal force. Consequently,the disk 10 does not fall off from the tray 126.

If the disk is appropriately mounted on the turntable 180, reflectedlight from the reflectors 196 are not blocked by the disk 10, and aretransmitted to the phototransistors 198. Accordingly, the microcomputerdetermines that the disk 10 is property mounted on the turntable 180. Inthis case, the microcomputer drives the spindle motor 182 or the motor134 on the basis of an operational signal of a play key or a selectionkey for a disk change.

The play mode is maintained almost in the similar manner to the stopmode except that the spindle motor 182 rotates, and the pickup 178slides to perform a reading processing of data from the disk 10. Then,since the turntable 180 rotates and the pickup 178 slides in the playmode, the reproducing (play mode) processing of data from the disk 10 iscarried out by the pickup 178. Further, when the specified reproducingprocessing (play mode) is completed, a waiting mode (stop mode) shown inFIG. 37 will begin.

Movement During the Disk Change

In the case of the disk change, the unillustrated selection key for thedisk change is selected, and a desired supporting portion 128 is facedwith the opening portion 113. Namely, the unillustrated microcomputerdrives the motor 134 shown in FIG. 37, and then rotates the operationlever 152 and the positioning lever 160 via the cam portion 142 and thecam groove 143 of the cam gear 140.

Therefore, the pin-receiving portion 164 of the positioning lever 160 isseparated from the positioning pin 124B of the disk drive unit 124, andthe operation lever 152 rotates the disk drive unit 124 in acounterclockwise direction around the supporting shaft 130 as a center.Namely, as shown in FIG. 20, the magnet member 185 of the ring member184 is separated from the ring member 181 of the turntable 180, andthereby releases connection of the magnet member 185 and the ring member181 (see FIG. 40).

As shown in FIG. 40, since the engaging pin 125B is separated from theengaging portion 204 of the clamp member 200, as shown by the imaginarylines of FIG. 42A, the abutting portion 203 abuts the circumferentialwall of the groove portion 180C of the turntable 180, and the clampmember 200 positions the turntable 180 with respect to the supportingportion 128.

Namely, in accordance with the present embodiment, in the unconnectedmode shown in FIG. 41, since the clamp member 200 positions theturntable 180 at a predetermined position, during the disk change duringwhich the tray 126 rotates or during the carrying of the disk apparatus,a rattle or a rattling noise due to a play between the turntable 180 andthe supporting portion 128 is prevented.

The tray 126 passes through the drive path comprising the motor 134, thecam gear 140, the gear 148, the drive gear 150, and the gear portion ofthe tray 126, and stops at a position at which the selected supportingportion 128 faces the opening portion 113 (see the above-description inFIGS. 28 to 35). In the state in which the tray 126 is stopped, theunillustrated microcomputer drives the motor 134 shown in FIG. 20, androtates the operation lever 152 and the positioning lever 160 throughthe cam portion 142 and the cam groove 143 of the cam gear 140 by.

The operation lever 152 rotates the disk drive unit 124 in a clockwisedirection around the support shaft 130 as a center, and thepin-receiving portion 164 of the positioning lever 160 is inserted intothe positioning pin 124B of the disk drive unit 124.

In accordance with the present embodiment, in the stop mode (or playmode) in which the spindle 183 of the spindle motor 182 is connected tothe turntable 180, the disk drive unit 124 and the supporting portion ofthe tray 126 are reliably positioned by structuring the stopper lever170, the engaging pins 125A and the like as described above.

In the present embodiment, the tray 126 shown in FIG. 20 is driven bythe motor 134 and rotated through the driving path comprising the camgear 140, the gear 148, the drive gear 150, and the gear portion 127 ofthe tray 126. On the other hand, the above-described vertical movementof the disk drive unit 124 is also carried out through a common drivingpath (comprising the motor shaft 135, the worm gear 136, the gear 138,and the cam gear 140).

In accordance with the present embodiment, since both the rotation ofthe tray 126 and the inclined movement of the disk drive unit 124 arecarried out through the motor 134 and the motor shaft 135, the worm gear136, the gear 138, and the cam gear 140, the number of parts can bereduced as compared to the conventional disk changer, whereby the diskchanger can be structured more simply, and manufactured inexpensively.

Third Embodiment

With respect to FIGS. 50 to 52, a structure of the third embodiment ofthe present invention will be explained. In the present embodiment, theentire disk changer 120 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 is inclined withrespect to the cabinet 112, and moved. Further, in the presentembodiment, portions identical to those in the second embodiment of thepresent invention will be denoted by the same reference numerals. FIGS.50 and 51 show only the main portions of the disk changer 120 accordingto the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 50 and 51, the present embodiment is provided with asupporting apparatus 210 for rotatably supporting the entire diskchanger 120 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. A pair of bearing portions 212 isformed at widthwise front-end portions of the supporting apparatus 210and rotatably supports the supporting shaft 130 of the disk changer 120.Accordingly, the front portion of the disk changer 120 rotates aroundthe supporting shaft 130 as a center.

Meanwhile, a plate-shaped cam plate 214 is provided perpendicularly froma rear portion of the supporting apparatus 210 in a lengthwise directionthereof. As shown in FIG. 51, a cam groove 215 is formed at the camplate 214 so as to incline in a lengthwise direction thereof. Further,the cam groove 143 of the cam gear 140 and the cam groove 215 of the camplate 214 are connected to each other by a plate-shaped tilt lever 216as the moving means. As shown in FIG. 52, the plate-shaped tilt lever216 is formed into a substantially L-shaped configuration as seen from aside view.

An engaging pin 217 is formed at a proximal end of the tilt lever 216,and is inserted into the cam groove 215 of the cam plate 214. Anengaging pin 218 is formed at a tip end of the tilt lever 216, and isinserted into the cam groove 143 of the cam gear 140. Further, asupporting pin 222 protruding from the sidewall 220 of the frame 122 ispivotally supported at a solid-angle portion 216A of the tilt lever 216.

Since the engaging pin 218 is controlled by the cam groove 143 and movesvertically, the tilt lever 216 rotates around the supporting pin 222 asa center. When the tray 126 is rotated or when a disk is changed, asshown in FIG. 51, when the engaging pin 218 is positioned at the camportion 143C of the cam groove 143, the engaging pin 218 rotates in aclockwise direction (see the arrow of FIG. 51) around the support pin222 as a center, and the engaging pin 217 moves frontward of the camgroove 215.

The tilt lever 216 rotates the disk changer 120 in a clockwise direction(see the arrow of FIG. 51) around the supporting shaft 130 as a center.Accordingly, in the present embodiment, since the supporting portion 128facing the door leaf 114 in a close state is separated from the door114, even when the tray 126 rotates around a support shaft 123A as acenter, the tray 126 does not interfere with the cabinet 112 (includingthe door leaf 112). Further, an opening portion is not shown at thecabinet 112 shown in FIGS. 51 and 52. However, an opening portion, whichis the same as that shown in FIG. 20, is also provided at the cabinet112 of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, when the engaging pin 218 is positioned atthe cam portion 143A of the cam groove 143, as shown by the imaginarylines of FIGS. 52 and 51, the tilt lever 216 rotates the disk changer120 in a counterclockwise direction (in the direction of arrow in FIG.52) around the supporting shaft 130 as a center. Namely, in the presentembodiment, during the attachment/detachment of the disk 10 with respectto the turntable 180, i.e., after the tray 126 has been rotated (forexample, after the disk has been changed), the supporting portion 128,facing the closed-door leaf 114, inclines and approaches the closed-doorleaf 114. Accordingly, in accordance with the present embodiment, sincea gap between the turntable 180 and the cabinet 112 becomes narrower ascompared to that in a conventional art, workability ofattaching/detaching the disk 10 with respect to the turntable 180 canimprove.

The present embodiment is structured such that the entire disk changer120 is made to come close to or separate from the cabinet 112 by usingthe cam groove 143 of the cam gear 140 for moving the disk drive unit124. Accordingly, the disk changer 120 can be synchronized with thetiming during the disk change.

Since other structures and operational effects of the present embodimentare the same as in the second embodiment of the present invention, adetailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, in the presentinvention, a structure of separating or approaching the entire diskchanger with respect to the cabinet can be carried out by anotherdriving means (a motor, an operation lever and the like) through anunillustrated sensor.

Fourth Embodiment

With reference to FIGS. 53 to 58, a description of the fourth embodimentof the present invention will be made. In the present embodiment, theentire disk changer 120 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 is slid in a widthwisedirection of the cabinet 112. Further, in the present embodiment,portions identical to those in the second embodiment of the presentinvention are denoted by the same reference numerals. Moreover, FIGS. 53to 56 show only main portions of the disk changer 120 according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, in the present embodiment, there isprovided a supporting apparatus 230 for slidably supporting the entiredisk changer 120 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 in the widthwise direction. Apair of bearing portions 232 for pivotally supporting the supportingshaft 130 of the disk changer 120 is formed at both widthwise front-endportions of the supporting apparatus 230. Accordingly, the entire diskchanger 120 slides in a widthwise direction along the shaft center ofthe supporting shaft 130. Further, as shown in FIGS. 57 and 58, thebearing portions 232 function as a stopper, while abutting the bearings132 of the disk changer 120.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 54, a sliding apparatus 234 as the slidingmeans is provided at the rear side of the supporting apparatus 230. Thesliding apparatus 234 comprises a pin 231A that is providedperpendicularly from a base plate 231 of the supporting apparatus 230, acam apparatus 236 that is connected to the pin 231A, a cylindricalsupporting portion 128 that rotatably supports the cam apparatus 236with respect to the frame 122, and an intermittent gear 242 that mesheswith a gear 237 of the cam apparatus 236. Further, a supporting portion240 is formed at the frame 122, and the intermittent gear 242 is formedat the cam gear 140.

The cam apparatus 236 comprises the gear 237, a cam plate 238, and aconnecting shaft 239 that connects the gear 237 and the cam plate 238 toeach other. An ellipse-shaped cam groove 238A shown in FIG. 56 is formedat the cam plate 238. The pin 231A of the base plate 231 is insertedinto the cam groove 238A of the cam plate 238. Therefore, due to therotation of the cam apparatus 236, the disk changer 120 mounted on theframe 122 is guided by the supporting shaft 130 and then slid in awidthwise direction.

As shown in FIG. 55, a gear ratio of the intermittent gear 242 that isformed at the cam gear 140 to the gear 237 is 1:1. Therefore, the gear237 (the cam plate 238) rotates one time while the cam gear 140 rotatesone time. Namely, as the tray 126 rotates ⅓ (i.e., 120° rotation), thesupporting portions 240 adjacent to each other sequentially move to thefront of the disk changer 120. Further, the cam apparatus 236 rotatesaround the supporting portion 240 as a center.

Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 56 to 58, an operation of thepresent embodiment will be explained. FIG. 56 shows a position at whichthe supporting portion 128 of the tray 126 faces the front portion ofthe disk changer 120 or the supporting shaft 130 (i.e., an initialposition or in the stop or play mode). In this initial position, thedisk changer 120 is positioned substantially at a center of thesupporting shaft 130, and the bearing 132 does not abut the bearingportion 232.

When the cam gear 140 rotates, the tray 126 rotates, and as shown inFIG. 57, the cam plate 238 (only the cam groove 238A is shown in FIG.57) rotates 90°, and the disk changer 120 (the frame 122) is guided bythe supporting shaft 130 and slid in the left-hand direction (thedirection of arrow in FIG. 57). Further, when the cam gear 140 rotates,as shown in FIG. 58, the cam plate 239 (only the cam groove 238A isshown in FIG. 58) rotates by the angle of 180°, the disk changer 120(the frame 122) is guided by the supporting shaft 130, and thereby slidein a right-hand direction (see the direction of arrow in FIG. 58).

Due to the further rotation of the cam gear 140, when the cam plate 239rotates 90°, the disk changer 120 is returned to its initial positionshown in FIG. 56. Namely, the tray 126 rotates ⅓ (i.e., 120° rotation),when the supporting portions 240 adjacent to each other move to thefront of the disk changer 120, the disk changer 120 can be slid in awidthwise direction.

In the present embodiment, during the rotation of the tray 126, the camgear 140 and the cam apparatus 236 that moves in accordance with the camgear 140 slide the tray 126 in a direction opposed to a direction inwhich a solid-angle portion of the supporting portion 128 projects fromthe initial position at which the supporting portion 128 is positionedat the front surface of the apparatus body (see FIGS. 57 and 58).Namely, in accordance with the present embodiment, since the diskchanger 120 is slid in the widthwise direction of the supportingapparatus 230 (i.e., the base 231), the disk changer 120 as theapparatus body can be made more compact than a conventional disk changer(for example, the width of the base plate 231 can be reduced to a totaldistance of LA+LB shown in FIG. 59).

The present embodiment is structured such that the cam gear 140 and thecam apparatus 236 are connected to each other, and accordingly, they canbe synchronized with the timing of the disk change. Namely, inaccordance with the present embodiment, when the tray 126 rotates ⅓(120° rotation), and one adjacent supporting portion 128 comes to thefront of the tray 126, the disk changer 120 can be slid in a widthwisedirection.

In the present embodiment, the rotation of the tray 126 and thetransverse (slide) movement of the disk changer 120 can create a uniquecombination of movements. Accordingly, for example, if the door leaf isformed by a clear, and visually recognizable material, users can enjoy aunique behavior of the disk changer 120. Since other structures andoperational effects are the same as those of the second embodiment ofthe present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in claim 15, the structure in which the entire disk changermoves (slides) with respect to the supporting apparatus may be realizedby using another driving means (a motor, an operation lever and thelike) via an unillustrated sensor. Further, in the present invention,the above-described second to fourth embodiments of the presentinvention can be combined arbitrarily and modified.

Fifth Embodiment

With reference to FIGS. 61 to 65, a disk holding apparatus according tothe fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explainedhereinafter. FIG. 61 shows a plan view of the disk holding apparatus ofthe present embodiment. FIG. 62 shows a cross sectional view cut along aline 62—62 of FIG. 61. Further, FIG. 61 is a plan view in which anejection button 426 and a lock member 428 that are shown in FIG. 62 arenot disposed.

Rotational Structure for Rotating the Turntable

As shown in FIG. 62, a substantially cylindrical attachment portion 415into which a central hole 10A of the disk 10 is fitted, a flat shapedmounting portion 416 on which the disk 10 is mounted, and a connectingportion that is connected to a spindle motor 440 as the first drivemeans are formed integrally with each other at a turntable 414 that isformed by a synthetic resin such as plastic. Further, a taper surface isformed at an outer upper circumferential portion of the attachingportion 415, and the attachment portion 415 has a diameter that isslightly smaller than that of the central hole 10A of the disk 10.

The connecting portion 417 is formed in continuous with the mountingportion 416, and an insertion portion 417B is formed between a lowerportion 417A of the connecting portion 417 and the mounting portion 416.The insertion portion 417B has a diameter that is slightly smaller thanthe lower portion 417A. Further, a taper portion 417C is formed at theinsertion portion 417B, tapering from the mounting portion 416 towardthe insertion portion 417B. Moreover, a ring-shaped metal plate 432 ismounted to the lower portion 417A of the connecting portion 417.

The insertion portion 417B of the turntable 414 is inserted into a hole435 of a tray 434. The hole 435 has substantial the same diameter as themaximum diameter of the taper portion 417C. In a connection state inwhich the spindle motor 440 is connected to the turntable 414 (a stateshown in FIG. 64 corresponding to the play or stop mode), as shown inFIG. 64, the spindle motor 440 is provided such that the turntable 414floats on the tray 434.

In this connection state, in order not to prevent damaging the rotationof the turntable 414, the turntable 414 and tray 434 are inhibited fromcontacting with each other. When the spindle motor 440 rotates, theturntable 414 rotates via the spindle 20.

A plurality of the supporting portions 436 (for example, three in thepresent embodiment) is disposed at the tray 434 of the presentembodiment. The turntables 414 are placed respectively on thesesupporting portions 436. Further, the tray 434 is formed into asubstantially triangle pyramid configuration by inclining each of thesupporting portion 436, and is able to rotate. Further, the spindlemotor 440 is disposed at only predetermined position.

An insertion hole 418 is formed at the center of the turntable 414, anda spindle 441 of the spindle motor 440 is inserted thereinto. Further, aconnection concave portion 419 in continuous with the insertion hole 418is formed at the connection portion 417. The connection concave portion419 has a diameter that is larger than that of the insertion hole 418,and a taper portion 419A is formed at the insertion hole 418 side of theconnection concave portion 419 and is tapered toward the insertion hole418.

A connection member 442 is disposed substantially at a center of thespindle 441. A connection portion 443 that is formed at the tip end ofthe connection member 442 is formed substantially in conformity with aconfiguration of the connection concave portion 419 of the turntable414. Namely, the maximum diameter of the connection portion 443 isslightly smaller than that of the maximum hole diameter of theconnection concave portion 419. In other words, the connection portion443 can be inserted into the connection concave portion 419, and theconnection portion 443 is prevented from being caught at an inner wallof the connection concave portion 419.

A ring shaped magnet 444 is mounted at a portion of the connectionportion 443 corresponding to a metal plate 432 disposed at theconnection portion 417. As shown in FIG. 64, in the state in which thespindle motor 440 is connected to the turntable 414, the metal plate 432magnetically attracting the metal plate 432 integrates the connectingmember 442 and the turntable 414 with each other.

As shown in FIG. 64, in the state in which the spindle motor 440 isconnected to the turntable 414, a tip end 441A of the spindle 441 abutsa locking member 428 that will be described later, and then lifts thelock member 428. Accordingly, the locking member 428 is separated fromthe hook lever 422, thus entering a lock release state.

In the present embodiment, the spindle 441 serves as release means forreleasing the locking member 428 as well as the connection portion.Further, the release means or the connection portion can be provided notonly at the spindle 441 but also at the spindle motor 440.

The spindle motor 440 is mounted on an unillustrated base. When thisbase moves, the spindle 441 is inserted into the connection concaveportion 419 and the insertion hole 418 of the turntable 414 or pulledout therefrom.

Structure of the Disk Holding Apparatus

As shown in FIG. 62, a disk holding apparatus 412 comprises a hook lever422 as engaging means, an inverting coil 424 as urging means, an ejectbutton 426, a lock member 428 as control means, and a coil spring 430disposed between the eject button 426 and the lock member 428. The diskholding apparatus 412 is disposed at the turntable 414.

The hook lever 422 is plate-shaped, and comprises a lock portion 422Aand the eject portion 422B formed thereon. The hook lever 422 isrotatably mounted to the turntable 414 via a pin 450 that is insertedbetween the lock portion 422A and the eject portion 422B.

As shown in FIG. 61, a plurality of holes 414A (three in the presentembodiment) is formed at the turntable 414 in conformity with theattachment portion 415 and the mounting portion 416 to open the lockportion 422A or the eject portion 422B of the hook lever 422. Theseholes 414A are separated from one another within a desired angleinterval (angle interval of 120° in the present embodiment).

As shown in FIG. 62 or FIG. 65, the lock portion 422A or the ejectportion 422B is structured so as to protrude from each of the holes414A.

In order to position the disk 10 at the turntable 414, a lock surface423D of the lock portion 422A protruding from the hole 414A presses thedisk 10 onto the mounting surface 416A. Further, as shown in FIG. 65,when the disk 10 is ejected (pushed out) from the turntable 414, theeject portion 422B protruding from the hole 414A is structured to pressthe disk 10 in a direction in which the disk 10 is separated from themounting surface 416A.

The inverting coil 424 comprises a substantially flat-shaped mountingportion 424A, and spring portions 425 that are formed in conformity withthe mounting portion 424A. Further, the inverting coil 424 is formed asa one-piece component. The mounting portion 424A is mounted on the base415B of the attachment portion 415, and a notch 424B is formed at aportion corresponding to the insertion hole 418 (see FIG. 6). Namely, asshown in FIGS. 64 and 65, the tip end 441A of the spindle 441 isinserted into the insertion hole 418 and the notch 424B, and therebyabuts to the lock member 428.

The spring portions 425 are respectively disposed to correspond to thehook levers 422 (see FIG. 61). As shown in FIG. 62, a tilt portion 425Ais formed at a substantially central portion of each of the springportions 425. Further, the tilt portion 425A is formed into asubstantially V-shaped cross sectional configuration. Other than thesubstantially V-shaped cross sectional configuration, the tilt portion425A can be formed into an arc shape. However, In the presentembodiment, the tilt portion 425A is formed into the substantiallyV-shaped cross sectional configuration in order to provide a sense ofclicking.

The tilt portion 425A is disposed so as to substantially correspond to apin 450 of the hook lever 422. The spring portions 425 are formed so asto respectively abut the abutting surfaces 423A to 423C of the lockportion 422B. Namely, in a first abutting state in which the tiltportion 425A of the spring portion 425 abuts the abutting surface 423Aof the lock portion 422B, a position at which the tilt portion 425A andthe abutting surface 423A abut to each other is higher than the centralposition of the pin 450. Accordingly, the spring portion 425 urges thehook lever 422 in a clockwise direction (in directions of arrows ofFIGS. 62 to 64).

In a second abutting state in which the tilt portion 425A of the springportion 425 abuts the abutting surface 423A of the lock portion 422B(the state shown by solid line in FIG. 65), a position at which the tiltportion 425A and the abutting surface 423B abut to each other is lowerthan the central position of the pin 450. Accordingly, the springportion 425 urges the hook lever 422 in a counterclockwise direction(direction of the arrow in FIG. 65).

In the second abutting state, the abutting surface 423C abuts theconnecting portion 425. Namely, a direction in which the hook lever 422is urged can change in accordance with a position at which the hooklever 422 abuts the spring portion 425.

A substantially disk-shaped lock member 428 is slidably disposed along aplurality of guide portions 415D (two in the present embodiment)protruding from the base surface 415C. Namely, the lock member 428 isformed so as to slide along the shaft center of the turntable 414.

As shown in FIG. 62, a lock surface (outer circumferential surface) ofthe lock member 428 is formed so as to face the abutting surface 423C ofthe hook lever 422. It is structured that a small amount of clearance(gap or play) is formed between the lock surface 429 and the abuttingsurface 423C of the hook lever 422.

The lock member 428 is urged to the base surface 415C by the coil spring430, while the ejection button 426 is urged by the coil spring 430 in adirection the button 425 protrudes from the attachment portion 415.

The ejection button 426 is slidably disposed along the shaft center ofthe turntable 414. An unillustrated stopper is disposed at the ejectionbutton 426 to suppress the ejection button 426 from falling off from theturntable 414, and as shown by a solid line in FIG. 65, an unillustratedpress portion is disposed to forcibly rotate the hook lever 422 in acounterclockwise direction. Namely, the press portion presses a portionin the vicinity of the abutting portion 423C of the hook lever 422, andthen rotates the hook lever 422.

An operation of the present embodiment will be explained. First, a casewill be explained in which an arbitrary disk 10 is attached to theturntable 414. In this case, in the stop mode (the state shown in FIG.65), the disk 10 is mounted on the turntable 414 of a desirablesupporting portion 436.

As shown in FIG. 65, the stop mode is in a state in which the theconnection portion 417 of the turntable 414 and the connecting member 42of the spindle 441 are connected to each other. Therefore, the tip end441A of the spindle 441 lifts the lock member 428 from the base surface415C to separate the lock surface 429 of the lock member 428 from thehook lever 422, thus entering a lock release state.

In the above-described connection state, since the hook lever 422 is inthe state shown by a solid line or an imaginary line in FIG. 65, thedisk 10 abutting the lock portion 422A or the eject portion 422B of thehook lever 422 rotates the hook lever 422.

As shown in FIG. 64, since the lock surface 423D protrudes from theouter circumferential surface 415A of the mounting portion 415, and thedisk 10 is pressed toward the mounting surface 416A (toward a lowerportion in FIG. 62), the disk 10 being attached is held by the mountingsurface 416A of the turntable 470. Further, FIG. 64 shows a lay mode inwhich the turntable 414 floats on the supporting portion 436.

When the tray 434 is rotated during the disk change or in the state inwhich the disk 10is attached to the turntable 470, the connection member442 is separated from the connection portion 417. Namely, as shown inFIG. 632, since the tip end 441A of the spindle 441 comes out from theinsertion hole 418, the lock member 428 is urged to he base surface 415Cby the urging force of the coil spring 430, and abuts the base surface415C.

For this reason in this state (in the stop mode or the play mode inwhich the connection member 442 of the spindle 441 is connected to theturntable 414), the lock surface 429 of the lock member 428 faces theabutting surface 423C of the hook lever 422, and enters in a lock statefor controlling unexpected rotation of the hook lever 422. Further, itis not shown: however, the tray 434 rotates in the state the spindle 441is completely separated from the turntable 414.

On the other hand, FIG. 62 shows a state in which when unexpected force(load) is applied inwardly to the disk 10, as shown in FIG. 63, theabutting surface 423C of the hook lever 422 abuts the lock surface 429of the lock member 428, and hold the lock surface 423D of the hook lever422 so as to face the disk 10.

In accordance with the present embodiment, a shock is applied to thedisk apparatus body, the disk 10 is not easily ejected from theturntable 414, whereby the disk 10 can reliably be held at theturntable. Particularly in such a structure as in the present embodimentin which the tray 434 whose supporting portion 436 is inclined and whichis rotated, it is essential to prevent the disk 10 attached to theturntable 414 from falling off from the turntable 414.

In the stop mode (the state shown in FIG. 65), as shown in FIG. 65, whenthe ejection button 426 is pressed, the hook lever 422 is forciblyrotated in a counterclockwise direction so that the eject portion 422Bejects the disk 10 from the mounting surface 416A. Namely, as a result,the disk 10 can easily be ejected from the turntable 414.

The aforementioned embodiment is an example in which the spindle 441 isused as releasing means according to claim 16. However, in the inventionaccording to claim 16, a button that s located at the upper portion of aturntable can be used as releasing means. Namely, the inventionaccording to claim 17 can be applied to an apparatus of one type inwhich a turntable and a spindle motor can be connected to each other.However, in the same manner as this type, the invention according toclaim 17 can be applied to an apparatus of another type in which aspindle is fixed to a turntable. In this case, in accordance with theoperation of the button, the hook lever can be used to eject the diskfrom the turntable. In the same manner as this, only duringattachment/detachment of a disk, the present invention can be structuredsuch that the control means can be withdrawn from the engaging means.

Sixth Embodiment

With respect to FIGS. 66 to 72, a description of a disk holdingapparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention willbe made hereinafter. FIG. 66 shows a cross sectional view of a mainportion of the disk holding apparatus according to the presentembodiment. And FIGS. 67 and 68 show a perspective view of a collar ofthe main portion of the disk holding apparatus shown in FIG. 66.

Structure of the Disk Holding Apparatus

As shown in FIG. 66, a disk holding apparatus 512 comprises a turntable514 that is disposed at a supporting portion 536 of a tray 534, and aspindle motor 540 as first driving means. Further, a disk holdingapparatus 512 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus of atype to allow the spindle motor 540 to be connected to the turntable514.

A substantially cylindrical attaching portion 515 into which a centralhole 10A of the disk 10 is fitted, a flat-shaped mounting portion 516for mounting the disk 10 thereon, and a connecting portion 517 as athird connection portion which is connected to the spindle motor 514 areintegrally formed with one another at the turntable 514. Further, ataper surface 515A is formed at an upper portion of an outercircumferential surface 515B of the attaching portion 515. The outercircumferential surface 515B of the attaching portion 515 has a diameterthat is slightly smaller than that of the central hole 10A of the disk10.

The connection portion 517 is formed in continuous with the mountingportion 516, and an insertion portion 517B is formed between a lowerportion 517A of the connection portion 517 and the mounting portion 516.The insertion portion 517B has a diameter that is smaller than that ofthe lower portion 517A. Further, a taper portion 517C is formed at theinsertion portion 517B so as to taper from the mounting portion 516 tothe insertion portion 517B. Moreover, a ring shaped metal plate 532 ismounted to the lower portion 517A of the connection portion 517.

The insertion portion 517B of the turntable 514 is inserted into a hole5353 of the tray 534. The hole 535 has substantially the same diameteras a maximum diameter of the taper portion 517C. Then, in the state inwhich the spindle motor 540 is connected to the turntable 514 (the statethat is shown in FIG. 71 and corresponds to the play or stop mode), asshown in FIG. 71, the spindle motor 540 is structured to allow theturntable 514 to float on the tray 534.

In this connection state, in order to prevent damaging the rotation ofthe turntable 514, the turntable 514 and the tray 534 do not contactwith each other. When the spindle motor 540 rotates, the turntable 514rotates via the spindle 20.

A plurality (e.g. three) of supporting portions 536 is disposed at thetray 534 of the present embodiment, and the turntables 514 arerespectively placed on these supporting portions 536. Further, each ofthe supporting portions 536 inclines to thereby form the tray 534 into asubstantially triangular pyramid configuration, and make the tray 534rotatable. Moreover, the spindle motor 540 is disposed at onlypredetermined position.

An insertion hole 518 is formed at the connection portion 517 inside theattaching portion 515 at a position corresponding to the attachingportion 515. A spindle 541 as a fourth connection portion of the spindlemotor 540 is inserted into the insertion hole 518. Further, a connectionconcave portion 519 is formed at the connection portion 517 incontinuous with the insertion hole 518. The connection concave portion519 has a diameter that is larger than that of the insertion hole 518,and a taper portion 519A tapering toward the insertion hole 518 isformed at the insertion hole 518 side of the connection concave portion519.

A ring-shaped connection member 542 having a substantially T-shapedcross-section is fixed to the spindle 541 at a substantially centralportion thereof. A ring-shaped magnet 544 is mounted to the connectionmember 542 at a portion corresponding to a metal plate 532 that isdisposed at the connection portion 517 thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 71 and 72, in the state in which the spindle motor 540is connected to the turntable 514, the magnet 544 magneticallyattracting the metal plate 532 integrates the connection member 542 andthe turntable 514 with each other.

The turntable 514 comprises a hook lever 522 that is disposed rotatablyat the attaching portion 515, a spring 524 that always urges the hooklever 522 in an outer direction of the attaching portion 515, and anejection button that is disposed slidably at an upper portion of theattaching portion 515, and coil springs 530 that are disposed at theejection button 526 and on an upper surface 517D of the connectingportion 517, and an ejection lever 528 that is shown by an imaginaryline.

The ejection lever 528 is disposed inside an elongated hole 516A that isformed at the attaching portion 515, and protrudes from the elongatedhole 516A in accordance with the operation of the ejection button 526.Further, the hook lever 522 and the ejection lever 528 are disposed soas to separate from each other at a predetermined angle (120° in thepresent embodiment).

As shown in FIGS. 66, 70, and 71, if the disk 10 is positioned at theturntable 514, the hook lever 522 protrudes from the outercircumferential surface 515A of the attaching portion 515, and pressingthe disk 10 to the mounting surface 516A side. Further, as shown in FIG.72, if the disk 10 is ejected from the turntable 514, the ejection lever528 (shown by an imaginary line) protruding from the elongated hole 516Apresses the disk 10 in a direction in which the disk 10 is separatedfrom the mounting surface 516B.

A stopper 527 for suppressing the disk 10 from being removed from theturntable 514 is disposed at the ejection button 526. Further, theejection button 526 is urged by the coil springs 530 in a direction inwhich the button 526 protrudes from the attaching portion 515, andduring the operation of the ejection button 526, the spring 524 movesinwardly.

Structure of Second Positioning Means

As shown in FIG. 66, the spindle 541 has a collar as the secondpositioning means that is disposed movably along the shaft center of thespindle 541. The collar is formed by a flexible synthetic resin, andcomprises a head portion that is formed into a substantially truncatedconical shaped configuration, and a plurality of leg portions (three inthe present embodiment) extending from the head portion 547. Further,the leg portions are provided so as to separate from each other at adesired angle (120° in the present embodiment).

A sagittate-shaped hook 549 is formed at the tip end portion of each legportion 548 so as to protrude outwardly. The hook 549 faces the lowersurface 542A of the connection member 542 in the state in which thecollar 546 is attached to the spindle 541 and the connection member 542.Namely, the hook 549 is used to suppress the collar 546 from falling offfrom the connection member 542.

As shown in FIGS. 66 to 69, a hole 547A whose diameter is substantiallythe same as that of the spindle 541 is formed at the head portion 547 ofthe collar 546. The collar 546 is symmetric with respect to the axiscenter of the hole 547A. And when the collar 456 is attached to thespindle 541, the spindle 541 is inserted into the hole 547A of thecollar 546.

As shown in FIGS. 67 and 68, a plurality of slits 547B (three in thepresent embodiment) are formed at the head portion 547 along the axialdirection from one end portion to the other end of the head portion 547.The slits 547B are disposed so as to separate from one another at adesired angle (120° in the present embodiment) and interposed betweenthe leg portions 548.

The slits 547B shown in FIG. 69A are formed radially at the head portion547 from the outer circumferential end portions so as to remain portionscloser to the hole 547A. On the other hand, the slits 547B shown in FIG.69B are formed so as to radially cut through the head portion 547.

Notches 547C are formed at the outer circumferential end portions of thehead portion 547, and each of the notches 547C is formed into an arcshaped configuration which becomes larger from a portion close to thecenter of the head portion 547 to a circumferential portion thereof.Further, the notch 547C is not formed at the tip end of the head portion547. Further, as shown in FIG. 66, two ring shaped grooves 547D areformed on the inner circumferential surface of the head portion 547 soas to be separated from each other at a predetermined distance.

As shown in FIGS. 70 and 71, when the head portion 547 is inserted intoa connection concave portion 519 of the turntable 514, the slits 547A,the notches 547B, and the grooves 547C that are formed at the headportion 547 are used to elastically deform the head portion 547 and keepthe outer circumferential surface of the collar 546 and the innercircumferential surface of the connection concave portion 519 in closecontact with each other.

The configuration of the head portion 547 of the collar 546substantially corresponds to that of the connection concave portion 519of the turntable 514. Namely, the head portion 547 can be inserted intothe connection concave portion 519 without being caught at the innerwall of the connection concave portion 519 during the insertion.

As shown in FIG. 66, a coil spring 550 through which the spindle 541passes is disposed between the head portion 547 of the collar 546 andthe connection member 542. Further, grooves 542B are formed in an axialdirection of the collar 546 at portions of the connection member 542corresponding to the leg portions 548 of the collar 546.

The end portions of the leg portions 548 of the collar 546 are fittedinto the grooves 542B so that the collar 546 is attached to the spindle541 and the connection member 542. Further, the collar 546 is alwaysurged toward a tip end 541A of the spindle 541by the urging force of thecoil spring 550.

At this point, it is structured that the urging force of the coil spring550 is smaller than the magnetic force of the magnet 544 at the timewhen the magnet 544 magnetically attracting the metal plate 532integrates the connection member 542 and the turntable 514 with eachother. Namely, in the state in which the turntable 514 and theconnection member 542 (i.e., the spindle motor 540) are connected toeach other (the state shown in FIGS. 71 and 72), due to the magneticintegration of the magnet 544 and the metal plate 532 resists the urgingforce of the coil spring 550, the connection state of the turntable 514and the connection member 542 can be maintained.

As described above, the hook 549 suppresses the collar 546 from fallingoff from the connection member 542. Further, the spindle motor 540 ismounted to an unillustrated base, and when this base moves, the spindle541 is inserted into or withdrawn from the connection concave portion519 and the insertion hole 518 of the turntable 514.

Subsequently, an operation of the present embodiment will be explained.First, a description of changing the play mode i.e., the separationstate shown in FIG. 66 to a connection state shown in FIG. 71 (the stopmode or the play mode) will be made. As shown in FIG. 66, the hook lever522 is protruded from the outer circumferential surface 515A of theattaching portion 515 to press the disk 10 toward the mounting surface516A (at the lower portion in FIG. 66), whereby the disk 10 in anattached state to the turntable 514 is held on the mounting surface 516Aof the turntable 514.

The spindle motor 540 that is separated from the turntable 514 movestoward the connection concave portion 519 of the turntable 514 thatstops at a predetermined position. When the spindle motor 540 movestoward the connection concave portion 519, the spindle 541 and thecollar 546 are inserted into the connection concave portion 519, and asshown in FIG. 70, the outer circumferential surface of the collar 546abuts the inner wall of the connection concave portion 519.

Further, when the spindle motor 540 moves toward the connection concaveportion 519, as shown in FIG. 71, the connection member 542 and thecollar 546 that are disposed at the spindle 541, and the connectionportion 517 of the turntable 514 are connected, thus entering aconnection state. Namely, the metal plate 532 is attracted by the magnet532 due to its magnetic force so that the connection member 452 and theconnection portion 517 are connected, and the outer circumferentialsurface of the collar 546 is urged by the coil spring 550, and pressedtoward the inner wall of the connection concave portion 519.

When the outer circumferential surface of the collar 546 is pressedtoward the inner wall of the connection concave portion 519, the slits547A, the notches 547B, and the grooves 547C that are formed at the headportion 547 are used to elastically deform the head portion 547 and keepthe outer circumferential surface of the collar 546 and the innercircumferential surface of the connection concave portion 519 in closercontact with each other. Namely, in the present embodiment, the collar546 and the turntable 514 are kept in close contact with each other,whereby the collar 546 and the turntable 514 are rigidly integrated witheach other to remove a rattle occurring between the tip end portion 541A of the spindle 541 and the insertion hole 518 of the turntable 514.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the coil spring 550 urges thecollar 546 to the connection concave portion 519 to keep the collar 546and the connection concave portion 519 in close contact with each other,a rattle between the tip end portion 541A of the spindle 541 and theinsertion hole 518 of the turntable 514 can be prevented. Namely, inaccordance with the present embodiment, even in a structure in which thespindle motor 540 is made connectable to the turntable 514, the collar456 as the second positioning means is provided between the connectionportion 517 of the turntable 514 and the connection member 542 of thespindle motor 540. Accordingly, the collar 546, which also has a dampingfunction, rigidly connects the connection portion 517 and the connectionmember 542 and fixes them to each other. As a result, the turntable 514resists vibration.

In accordance with the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 71, a lowerportion 517A of the connection portion 517 and the upper surface 542C ofthe connection member 542 are tightly connected and fixed to each other.Accordingly, the turntable 514 resists vibration.

In accordance with the present embodiment, since the collar 546 isprovided between the connection portion 517 of the turntable 514 and theconnection member 542 of the spindle 541, alignment of the turntable 514and the spindle 541 in a radial direction is carried out. Accordingly,rotational run-out of the turntable during the rotation of the firstdriving means can be prevented.

In accordance with the present embodiment, since a distance between thepickup (not shown) disposed at the unillustrated disk apparatus and thedisk 10 mounted on the turntable 514, and a rotational center of theturntable 514 are maintained constant, a focus servo and a trackingservo can appropriately be controlled.

After the collar 546 has been kept into close contact with the innerwall of the connection concave potion 519, the collar 546 moves towardthe spindle motor 540 to resist the urging force of the coil spring 550.Namely, the collar 546 slides along the spindle 541 in the axialdirection thereof, and held in a tightly contacted state with the innerwall of the connection concave portion 519 due to the urging force ofthe coil spring 550. Further, when the collar 546 slides along thespindle 541, the leg portions 548 of the collar 546 slide along thegrooves 542B of the connection member 542 and escape.

In the stop mode (the state shown in FIG. 72), as shown in FIG. 72, whenthe eject button 526 is pressed, the hook lever 522 is rotated in aclockwise direction, and the disk 10 is ejected from the mountingsurface 516A by the ejection lever 528 shown by an imaginary line inFIG. 72. Namely, accordingly, the disk 10 is easily detached from theturntable 514. In the state shown in FIG. 72 (the play mode or the stopmode), the turntable 514 floats on the supporting portion 536.

In each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, thetray 26 is formed into a substantially triangular pyramid configuration.However, the tray 26 can be formed into an arbitrary configuration suchas a quadrangular pyramid, a pentagonal pyramid, or a prism for forminga polygon surface. Further, if the disk supporting apparatus is formedinto a substantially quadrangular pyramid or a pentagonal pyramid, thenumber of supporting portions is four or five, whereby a lot of disks(more than four disks) can be disposed on the tray 26. Further, the doorleaf 14, the turntable 42, the motor 38 for driving the turntable 42,and the motor 52 for driving the tray 26 can arbitrarily be changed.

Regarding claim 1 of the present invention, the tray 26 can be changedinto a planar configuration as in a conventional rotation table 492.With reference to FIG. 73, a variant example will be explained in whicha tray is formed into a planar configuration. The present embodiment isan example in which the mounting table 70 for constituting a portion ofthe first moving means is slid along the cabinet 72 of the diskapparatus so that a plate shaped mounting table 70 is ejected from orreturned to the cabinet 72. In the present embodiment, portionsidentical to those in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by thesame reference numerals.

A disk shaped concave portion 71 is formed at the mounting table 70. Theturntable 42 is disposed rotatably at the center of the concave portion71. The turntable 42 is structured in the same manner as shown in FIG. 6and has the ball-chuck mechanism containing the balls 54 therein at thetrunk portion 42B thereof. Then, the disk not shown is inserted into theconcave portion 71 and attached to the trunk portion 42B through theball-chuck mechanism.

The motor 38 is movably disposed inside the cabinet 72. As shown in FIG.6, the motor 38 has the ring member 40 that is mounted to and fixed at aportion corresponding to the turntable 42 when the mounting table 70 iswithdrawn into the cabinet 72. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the motor 38 ismoved, the ring member 40 is connected to the ring member 43 of theturntable 42, and when the motor 38 is rotated, the turntable 42 isrotated.

The unillustrated slide mechanism for constituting the first movingmeans is disposed inside the cabinet 72. The slide mechanism slidesbetween a position at which the mounting table 70 is withdrawn into thecabinet 72 to make the turntable 42 and the motor 38 connectable, and aposition at which the mounting table 70 is withdrawn from the cabinet 72so that a disk can be inserted into or ejected from the concave portion71 of the mounting table 70.

In the present embodiment, the cabinet 72 can be mounted in a horizontaldirection as shown in FIG. 73 or can be mounted in a vertical direction.Since other operational effects are the same as those shown in FIG. 2,detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the above-described embodiments, examples of the connecting meansinclude the ring member 40 and the magnet member 41 which are connectedto the motor 38, and the ring member 43 which is connected to theturntable 42. However, as long as the turntable and the motor are heldby them and connected to each other, other connecting means can be used.

The connecting portion of the present invention can be structuredinversely to the structures of the above-described embodiments (i.e.,the ring member 40, the hole 56 of the turntable 42 and the like). Forexample, the connecting portion may be structured such that a hole isformed on the ring member 40 and a protruding portion corresponding tothis hole is provided at a turntable, and the protruding portion ispositioned by a plate spring provided at the hole and a referencesurface.

The disk according to the present invention may include a so-calledmini-disk, a compact disk, a digital video disk (DVD) and the like.Further, the disk apparatus of the present invention can be applied to apersonal computer comprising an electronic apparatus such as a diskapparatus, other than a component stereo apparatus. Further, the diskapparatus to which the disk holding apparatus according to the presentinvention is applied can be used for a disk changer, a portable diskplayer, and the like.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

As described above, in accordance with the disk supporting apparatus ofclaim 1 of the present invention, since disks are supported and heldrotatably by the plurality of first holding means that are supportedconcentrically with the supporting means, a disk can be inclined orplaced upright at each of the first holding means. In this case, aplanar dimension (space) of the disk supporting apparatus can belessened.

In accordance with the disk supporting apparatus of claim 3 of thepresent invention, since, in a reproducible state of the disk held bythe first holding means, the first holding means is supported by thesupporting means so as to form a disk surface into a polygonal pyramidconfiguration including a predetermined point on the axis as a vertex, aplanar dimension (space) of the disk supporting apparatus can belessened. Namely, in accordance with the disk supporting apparatus ofclaim 3 of the present invention, since a planar dimension of the disksupporting apparatus of the present invention becomes narrower than thatof a conventional turntable, a plurality of disks can be disposed at thedisk supporting apparatus.

In accordance with the disk holding apparatus or the disk apparatus ofclaim 6 or 7 of the present invention, since the turntable and the firstdriving means are self-held by the connecting means, the turntable andthe first driving means can be connected to each other smoothly andreliably.

In accordance with the disk supporting apparatus or the disk apparatusof claim 6 or 7 of the present invention, if a disk apparatus isstructured so as to move the turntable between one position at which theturntable and the first driving means are connected to each other andthe other, a disk is rotatably held at the turntable in advance, and thedisk is not displaced from the turntable, whereby a conventionalmis-chucking of a disk can be prevented.

Further, In accordance with the disk holding apparatus or the diskapparatus of claims 6 and 7 of the present invention, since a disk isrotatably held at the turntable in advance, even when a deformed disk isused, the disk can be positioned smoothly and reliably at the turntable.

In accordance with the disk holding apparatus or the disk apparatus ofclaim 8 or 9 of the present invention, the connecting means connects thefirst drive means and the turntable, and in the state in which the firstconnection portion and the second connection portion are connected toeach other, the first positioning means positions the first or secondconnection portion. Accordingly, the turntable can be positionedsmoothly ad reliably.

In accordance with the disk holding apparatus or the disk apparatus ofclaim 8 or 9 of the present invention, a distance between a pickupdisposed at the disk apparatus and the disk attached to the turntableand a rotational center of the turntable is always maintained constant.Accordingly, the focus servo and the tracking servo can appropriately becontrolled.

In accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 10 of the presentinvention, since the tray is rotated and the holder is moved,respectively, by the same second driving means and a common drivingpath, the number of parts used for the apparatus of the presentinvention can be reduced as compared to those in a conventional diskchanger, whereby the disk apparatus is structured more simply andmanufactured inexpensively.

In accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 11 of the presentinvention, the lock means locks the turntable at a predeterminedposition in an unconnected mode in which the connecting means is notconnected to the turntable. Accordingly, even when the turntable and aspindle are not connected to each other, for example, during a diskchange time at which the tray is rotating, or at the time when the diskapparatus is carried, occurrence of a rattle or a rattle noise due to aplay between the turntable and the tray can be prevented.

In accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 12 of the presentinvention, the third positioning means positions the informationprocessing means in the state in which connection between the connectingmeans and the turntable has been completed. Therefore, when a disk isdetached or attached with respected to a turntable, if an unexpectedload is applied to the tray, the tray is reliably supported.Accordingly, in accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 12 of thepresent invention, since the tray for which the connection between theconnecting means and the turntable has been completed is reliablysupported by the third positioning means, the disk can be detached orattached with respect to the turntable with more excellent workability.

In accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 13 of the presentinvention, after the disk has been changed, the second moving meansmoves the apparatus body in order to place the tray in the vicinity ofthe panel. Accordingly, a gap between the turntable and the openingportion of the panel becomes smaller than that of a conventional diskapparatus. As a result, a disk can be attached to/removed from theturntable through the opening portion with more excellent workability.

In accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 14 of the presentinvention, since the detecting means detects that a disk is notappropriately attached to the turntable, in the disk changer, forexample, a disk is prevented from flowing away from the turntable due toa centrifugal force.

In accordance with the disk apparatus of claim 15 of the presentinvention, during the rotation of the tray, since the sliding meansslides the tray such that the solid-angle portion of the tray does notprotrude from the apparatus body, the apparatus body can be made morecompact than a conventional one.

In accordance with the disk holding apparatus of claim 16 of the presentinvention, for example, even if a shock is applied to the apparatusbody, since the engaging means and the control means abut with eachother, a disk is not easily ejected from the turntable so that the diskcan reliably be held at the turntable.

In accordance with the disk holding device of claim 18 of the presentinvention, since the second positioning means is provided between thethird connecting portion of the turntable and the fourth connectingportion of the first driving means, the first driving means and theturntable are radially aligned to each other, whereby a rotationalrun-out of the turntable during the rotation of the first driving meanscan be prevented.

Further, in accordance with the disk holding device of claim 18 of thepresent invention, since a distance between a pickup provided at thedisk apparatus and a disk attached to the turntable, and a rotationalcenter of the turntable are maintained constant, a focus servo and atracking servo are normally controlled.

1. A disk supporting apparatus comprising: first holding means forrotatably holding disks; and supporting means having a plurality ofsupporting portions for supporting the first holding means to beconcentric therewith, wherein the supporting means can rotate around anaxis to be concentric with the first holding means, and the supportingportions have surfaces which are respectively inclined with respect to apredetermined point on the axis as a vertex, wherein the first holdingmeans is connected to or released from a disk driving means provided atreproducing means for reproducing a disk, and the supporting meanssupports the first holding means such that surfaces of respective disksform faces of a polygonal pyramid configuration including thepredetermined point on the axis as a vertex, in a state in which disksare held by all of the first holding means.
 2. A disk supportingapparatus comprising: first holding means for rotatably holding disks;and supporting means having a plurality of supporting portions forsupporting the first holding means to be concentric therewith, whereinthe supporting means can rotate around an axis to be concentric with thefirst holding means, and the supporting portions have surfaces which arerespectively inclined with respect to a predetermined point on the axisas a vertex, wherein the supporting means is provided with engagingportions which are disposed at plate-shaped supporting portions androtatably engage the first holding means, and respective surfaces of theplate-shaped supporting portions form faces of a polygonal pyramidconfiguration including the predetermined point on the axis as a vertex,in a state in which disks are held by all of the first holding means. 3.A disk supporting apparatus comprising: first holding means forrotatably holding disks; and supporting means having a plurality ofsupporting portions for supporting the first holding means to beconcentric therewith, wherein the supporting means can rotate around anaxis to be concentric with the first holding means, and the supportingportions have surfaces which are respectively inclined with respect to apredetermined point on the axis as a vertex, wherein the first holdingmeans is connected to or released from disk driving means provided at areproducing means for reproducing a disk, and the supporting meanssupports the first holding means such that surfaces of respective disksform faces of a polygonal pyramid configuration including thepredetermined point on the axis as a vertex, in a state in which disksare held by all of the first holding means, wherein the supporting meanshas an engaging portion which is disposed at each of plate-shapedsupporting portions and rotatably engages the first holding means, andrespective surfaces of the supporting portions form faces of a polygonalpyramid configuration including the predetermined point on the axis, asa vertex.
 4. A disk supporting apparatus comprising: a plurality offirst holding units each configured to rotatably hold a disk; and asupporting unit having a plurality of supporting portions configured tosupport the plurality of first holding units to be concentric therewith,wherein the supporting unit is configured to rotate around an axis to beconcentric with the first holding units, and the supporting portionshave surfaces which are respectively inclined with respect to apredetermined point on the axis as a vertex, wherein the plurality offirst holding units are connected to or released from a disk drivingunit provided at a reproducing unit configured to reproduce a disk, andthe supporting unit supports the first holding unit such that surfacesof respective disks form faces of a polygonal pyramid configurationincluding the predetermined point on the axis as a vertex, in a state inwhich disks are held by the plurality of first holding units.
 5. A disksupporting apparatus comprising: a plurality of first holding units eachconfigured to rotatably a hold disk; and a supporting unit having aplurality of supporting portions configured to support the plurality offirst holding units to be concentric therewith, wherein the supportingunit is configured to rotate around an axis to be concentric with thefirst holding units, and the supporting portions have surfaces which arerespectively inclined with respect to a predetermined point on the axisas a vertex, wherein the supporting unit is provided with engagingportions which are disposed at plate-shaped supporting portions androtatably engage the first holding units, and respective surfaces of theplate-shaped supporting portions form faces of a polygonal pyramidconfiguration including the predetermined point on the axis as a vertex,in a state in which disks are held by a plurality of the first holdingunits.
 6. A disk supporting apparatus comprising: a plurality of firstholding units each configured to rotatably a hold disk; and a supportingunit having a plurality of supporting portions configured to support thefirst holding units to be concentric therewith, wherein the supportingunit is configured to rotate around an axis to be concentric with thefirst holding units, and the supporting portions have surfaces which arerespectively inclined with respect to a predetermined point on the axisas a vertex, wherein the first holding units are connected to orreleased from a disk driving unit provided at a reproducing unitconfigured to reproduce a disk, and the supporting unit supports thefirst holding units such that surfaces of respective disks form faces ofa polygonal pyramid configuration including the predetermined point onthe axis as a vertex, in a state in which disks are held by a pluralityof the first holding units, wherein the supporting unit has an engagingportion which is disposed at each of plate-shaped supporting portionsand rotatably engages the first holding units, and respective surfacesof the supporting portions form faces of a polygonal pyramidconfiguration including the predetermined point on the axis, as avertex.